25 Feb 2025

The status of Obed Itani Chilume Stadium has raised concerns about its ability to host Confederation of African Football (CAF) qualifiers prompting the Minister of Sport and Arts Jacob Kelebeng to call for urgent action to rectify the problems.

An inspection by the minister on Monday revealed a facility teetering on the brink of collapse, raising concerns about upcoming matches against Algeria and Somalia on March 21 and 25 respectively.

Speaking after tour of the stadium,  Kelebeng stressed the need for immediate government intervention to bring the stadium to international standards.

The minister highlighted critical issues that included the stadium’s malfunctioning emergency power supply, the leaking roof and the expired track license.

The issues, he emphasised, required urgent attention to avoid jeopardising the upcoming matches.

He explained that the water leakage reached the VIP lounge and press room, impacting the comfort and functionality of the facility.

While praising the stadium’s good drainage system, he acknowledged that the system relied on rain to ensure a playable field after precipitation.

A further concern was raised by CAF security officer, Mosomi Ikgopoleng regarding the single-lane road leading to the stadium.

The proximity to the Phillip Matante International Airport creates a traffic bottleneck, potentially delaying fans and those rushing to the airport.

Botswana Football Association regional coordinator in charge of protocols, Spencer Mmui, painted a grim picture during the minister’s tour.

He told the minister that Botswana’s hopes of progressing in the qualifiers hung precariously in the balance, threatened not by opposing teams, but by the dilapidated state of the stadium.

Mmui described the stadium as ‘not ready for any CAF or international games’ highlighting a catastrophic list of failings.

He said the leaking roof was in dire need of repair, the server system was malfunctioning, CCTV cameras were out of order and the scoreboard, crucial for displaying match information, was significantly deficient.

Instead of the required two scoreboards, there was only one, which was also not functional, leaving a gaping hole in essential match infrastructure.

Mmui directly appealed to the government to address the root causes of the stadium’s deterioration.

He informed the minister that failure to meet CAF standards risks forfeiting matches, impacting Botswana’s ranking, and damaging the nation’s reputation on the international sporting stage.

Mmui explained that the stadium was not just a sporting venue, but a symbol of national pride and that government must act decisively by allocating the necessary resources to undertake comprehensive renovations. He stated that delaying action was not an option, as the clock was ticking,  ENDS