The Botswana women’s national team are set for a big payday after beating Harambee Starlets to qualify for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
The Botswana Football Association (BFA) is planning to reward their national women’s team over Ksh22 million after their victory over Kenya to qualify for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The Mares, as the team is popularly known, beat Harambee Starlets 2-1 on aggregate following a 1-1 draw in Nairobi before a 1-0 victory in Gaborone, to seal their place at the WAFCON for a second straight edition.
Following the historic feat, BFA intends to reward the team handsomely although the association is facing financial constraints and will be relying on funding from the government before the big payout is made.
09:32 - 08.12.2023
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Kenya’s Harambee Starlets are counting losses after missing out on big money following their failure to qualify for the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations
"The incentives are provided by the governments; that is a fact. We, the BFA, do not have that money,” BFA president Maclean Letshwiti told the media, as quoted by Botswana outlet Mmegi.
“No association has that money. However, from us as the BFA, last year the prize was around P2 million (Ksh22,710,209), and we gave it all to them, and it's going to be the same.”
Botswana, who qualified for the 2022 tournament, in what was their maiden appearance, made it past the group stage and will be hoping for the same or better in 2024.
The Mares are guaranteed more money from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) after sealing their place at the 12-team tournament where the last three sides will walk away with $100,000 (Ksh15,330,000) while the ninth-best side pocket $150,000 (Ksh22,995,000).
Teams that advance to the quarter-final will each receive $175,000 (Ksh26,827,500) while semi-finalists take home $225,000 (Ksh34,492,500) a piece. Winners of the tournament will rake in $500,000 (Ksh76,650,000) while the runners-ups pocket $300,000 (Ksh45,990,000).
While Botswana are licking their lips at the prospect of the big payday, their fallen opponents Kenya are counting losses after missing over Ksh25 million from their failed attempt.
18:24 - 05.12.2023
FOOTBALL Harambee Starlets pay the penalty as Botswana punish their wastefulness to qualify for Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Harambee Starlets came to rue their missed penalties as they lost 2-1 on aggregate to Botswana and miss out on a place at the 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Besides the minimum prize of $100,000 (Ksh15,330,000) that they would have earned for qualifying, Harambee Starlets also missed out on an extra Ksh10 million from the government, having been promised Ksh5 million for each win in the two-legged match by Sports Cabinet Secretary Ababu Namwamba.
Botswana joined hosts Morocco, defending champions South Africa, 11-time champions Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia, Senegal, Tunisia, Mali, Ghana, Algeria and the DR Congo in qualifying for next year’s tournament.
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