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FIFA national referees undergo fitness training

May 27, 2021

GABORONE, Botswana, May 27, 2021 – Two Botswana FIFA registered national referees, Tirelo Mositwane and Kitso Sibanda on Tuesday underwent tests at the Botswana Football Association’s (BFA) Lekidi Football Centre in Gaborone.

Referee’s Manager, Phodiso Rasetshoga said the physical fitness tests are extremely important as they ascertain the level of fitness on all the FA’s 12 FIFA registered referees, so they conform to any international duties keenly, whenever they are assigned.

Botswana top referee, Joshua Bondo has been leading the local lads in securing various international assignments, where he officiated some matches in the ongoing CAF competitions. It is against this backdrop that the FA Referees’ Manager saw the need to sharpen the two with a physical fitness drill as they await other impending assignments.

Referee Mositwane (in green)

Rasetshoga was speaking at Lekidi Football Centre on Tuesday where two referees Tirelo Mositwane and Kitso Sibanda are yearning for a full fitness under his watch.

“There are two main aspects that we have to work on which are the technical and physical conditioning. The referees need to be aware of their tactics which includes movement in the field, applying, and interpreting the law with tutorials and live situation of a match. The other aspect is physical conditioning of our referees which is one of the core demands of a referee in an international match hence our training at this point,” said Rasetshoga.

He added, “BFA is here to deliver refereeing as we professionalize the game. The significance of physical tests is to ensure quality of the referees in the country.”

Referee Sibanda

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BOTSWANA U-20 WOMEN EXIT WORLD CUP QUALIFIERS WITH PRIDE AFTER HOME VICTORY

The Botswana U-20 Women’s National Team bowed out of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Qualifiers 2026 on a positive note after securing a 1–0 victory over Cameroon U-20 Women’s National Team this past weekend, despite a 5–1 aggregate defeat.

Having suffered a heavy 5–0 loss in the first leg played on 7 February 2026 at Olembe Stadium in Cameroon, the Young Mares showed resilience and determination in the return leg at Obed Itani Chilume Stadium.

Forward Mbapeua Hangara scored the decisive goal in the second half, giving Botswana a deserved win in front of their home supporters and demonstrating the team’s fighting spirit until the final whistle.

Head coach Tapaphiwa Tracey Gaebolae expressed pride in her players performance and attitude, emphasizing the positive response after the first-leg setback.

“We are very proud of the girls. Even though we didn’t get the result we wanted in Cameroon, we came here with a positive mindset. The message to the team was that we needed to score more goals, stay organized, and believe in ourselves and I think the players responded very well.” Coach Gaebolae alluded at the post match Technical press conference.

Despite exiting the competition, the Young Mares leave the qualifiers with valuable international experience and renewed confidence, highlighting the growth and potential of women’s football in Botswana.