GABORONE, Botswana – The Botswana Football Association (BFA) refereeing duo of Keabetswe Dintwa and Lucky Kegakolotswe will join their counterparts from across the region by officiating at this year’s historic 20th COSAFA Cup edition. The region’s football showpiece runs from July 7th – 18th 2021 at the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, South Africa.  Dintwa is a referee based in Francistown while Kegakolotswe is an assistant referee based in Palapye.

The two are said to have impressed the referees’ panel during last year’s (2020) COSAFA Under-20 Challenge tournament, where their mettle and refereeing prowess shined.  “This will be their first time to officiate in the COSAFA Cup senior challenge and that means they did well in the junior tournament previously. We are happy with their progression, normally you have to prove your mettle in the junior tournament before being entrusted with the senior tournament of COSAFA”, said BFA Referees Manager, Phodiso Rasetshoga when reacting to the exciting news today.

The duo will depart to South Africa on July 1, 2021, where they will join other referees from across the region, before undergoing a pre-tournament course led by COSAFA instructors. The 12-team tournament returns after the 2020 edition had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Botswana senior national team, Zebras has been drawn against South Africa, eSwatini and Lesotho in Group A as preparations for the historic 20th edition of the regional showpiece competition kick into gear. In Group B is Zambia, Malawi, Madagascar, Comoros while Senegal, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Namibia all form part of Group C.