The Botswana Football Association (BFA) has unveiled a sweeping 10-year strategic plan aimed at reshaping the nation’s football landscape with ambitious benchmarks for the Zebras, the Mares, and grassroots player development by 2036.
Central to this vision is a decisive shift: Botswana intends no longer to be a sporadic contender on the African football stage but to establish itself as a steadfast competitor among the continent’s elite.
This initiative, dubbed the BFA Strategic Framework 2036, was formally presented to the BFA National Executive Committee in Francistown by esteemed football authorities Dr. Daniel Tau and Sikalame “Six” Keatlholetswe, alongside Technical Director Kaelo Kaelo and Vice President for Technical Affairs Tebogo Kamati. It sets out a roadmap structured into four-year implementation cycles, supported by annual operational plans and rigorously defined key performance indicators, designed to guide Botswana football over the coming decade.
Local football in Botswana has long been trapped in a cycle of hope followed by disappointment: rare qualifications for major tournaments, inconsistent player development, and league structures often criticized for their failure to produce top-tier talent. The BFA’s new framework seeks to replace this unpredictability with disciplined, long-term planning.
Rather than postponing evaluation until 2036, this phased approach allows for ongoing progress reviews every four years, enabling strategic recalibration and accountability along the way.
The targets are striking in their ambition. By 2036, the Zebras are expected to rank among Africa’s top 10 teams and break into the top 60 of the FIFA world rankings. Meanwhile, the women’s national team, the Mares, aims to reach seventh place on the continent and 70th globally. Both squads are also charged with capturing the COSAFA Cup by the end of the cycle.
For years, Botswana has celebrated mere qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations as a triumph. Under this new framework, simply qualifying will no longer suffice; the standard shifts to competitive relevance.
Clear interim milestones accompany these goals. By 2028, the Zebras should be within Africa’s top 20 and the world’s top 100, with the Mares similarly positioned in Africa’s top 20 and within the global top 120. By 2032, the Zebras are slated to climb into Africa’s top 15 and the world’s top 80, while the Mares aim to break into Africa’s top 10 and the top 90 worldwide. Regionally, both teams are expected to reach COSAFA semi-finals by 2028 and finals by 2032, setting their sights on titles in 2036.
Regular qualification for the Africa Cup of Nations is deemed a non-negotiable objective for the Zebras, addressing a historical lack of continuity that has marred national team progress.
Yet, the earliest tangible impact of Vision 2036 may manifest not in rankings, but on domestic league rosters. Starting June 1, 2026, all clubs under BFA jurisdiction will be mandated to comply with new play rules designed to guarantee meaningful youth participation throughout the football pyramid.
In the FNB Premiership, clubs must field at least three Under-23 players and two Under-20 players in their starting line-ups. The First Division faces even higher youth participation quotas, with regional leagues enforcing the strongest developmental requirements.
This policy confronts a perennial criticism: young talents have often spent critical developmental years sidelined while clubs leaned heavily on older, short-term players. By the time opportunities arose, many promising players had either plateaued or dropped out of the sport.
The BFA’s regulations go beyond mere numbers. Clubs will no longer be allowed to name young players in starting line-ups only to substitute them shortly after kickoff. At least two Under-20 starters must play a minimum of 45 minutes unless removed due to verified injury, concussion protocol, or goalkeeper substitutions deemed legitimate. Any early tactical substitutions made solely to circumvent these rules will be treated as disciplinary violations.
This level of detail reflects a studied awareness of how similar policies elsewhere have been undermined by loopholes. It signals a move towards enforcement-driven governance rather than symbolic reform.
Still, lofty targets alone cannot guarantee transformation. Rankings hinge on a constellation of factors beyond youth quotas: coaching quality, sports science, talent identification, infrastructure, player welfare, club finances, and administrative stability. Without coordinated advancement in these areas, the framework risks becoming overly dependent on numerical goals that may prove unsustainable.
Resistance is inevitable. Some clubs may contend that mandatory youth quotas interfere with competitive selection, especially in crucial relegation or title battles. Others may highlight resource constraints in nurturing young players. The BFA will need to pair its regulations with robust support systems, such as enhanced coaching education, standardized academies, and improved youth competitions, to ensure success.
The women’s game offers a distinct avenue for progress. The Mares have demonstrated regional competitiveness and tournament qualification capability. With sustained investment, Botswana’s quickest path to global recognition may well be through women’s football.
Ultimately, Vision 2036 will test Botswana football’s ability to transcend election cycles, short-term fixes, and reactive decision-making, laying the groundwork for lasting national pride on the continent and beyond.