Despite enduring three seasons without a title sponsor, local clubs have demonstrated their tenacity, competing toe-to-toe with Africa’s football powerhouses. The diamond-mining club, Orapa United, has become the third team from Botswana to reach the group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup, a historic achievement in their 12-year existence.
Orapa United’s road to the CAF Confederation Cup began when Jwaneng Galaxy, the Orange FA Cup champions, opted to compete in the CAF Champions League, thereby paving the way for Orapa United to take their place in the CAF Confederation Cup. The Ostriches clinched their group stage berth by defeating Zimbabwe’s Dynamos 3-1 on penalties at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium last weekend, in the return leg of the second preliminary round. Goalkeeper Lesenya Malapela’s heroic performance, saving two crucial penalties, was instrumental in their advancement.
Dynamos needed only a draw to progress, having secured a solitary goal victory in the away leg, also played at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium. However, a second-half own goal by Dynamo’s Frank Makarati leveled the score to 1-1, forcing the match into a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
Founded in 2012 through the merger of five teams from the Boteti region, Orapa United quickly rose to prominence, earning automatic promotion to the elite league during the 2013/2014 season. Twelve years on, the Ostriches have now celebrated their maiden group stage appearance.
In 2018, Township Rollers etched their name in history as the first Botswana team to reach the group stages of the CAF Champions League. This followed a goalless draw with Tanzanian champions Young Africans (Yanga) in a second-leg match at a packed National Stadium. Rollers had entered the reverse fixture leading 2-1 from their stunning victory on Yanga’s home turf in Tanzania.
Jwaneng Galaxy, under the stewardship of Coach Morena Ramoreboli, became the second club to reach the group stages. They debuted in the continent’s elite CAF Champions League competition in 2020 after being declared league champions during the COVID-19 era. Galaxy has continued to excel, eliminating African football giants like Orlando Pirates last season to secure back-to-back group stage appearances in the continental showpiece.
TOTAL ENERGIES CAF CONFEDERATION CUP PRIZE MONEY
- Winner: USD 2,000,000
- Runner-up: USD 1,000,000
- Semi-finalists: USD 750,000
- Quarterfinalists: USD 550,000
- 3rd in Group: USD 400,000
- 4th in Group: USD 400,000
