Botswana FA issue apology to Ditlhokwe over captaincy controversy
Botswana Football Association have issued a letter of apology to former Kaizer Chiefs defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe following the recent controversy surrounding the national team’s captaincy.
Ditlhokwe has been the key figure of the Botswana national team, captaining the side in the past few years. The left-footed defender made his debut for the Zebras in July 2018 and has continued to excel, earning 26 caps to date, according to Transfermarkt.
In his impressive career, Ditlhokwe made a name for himself in the Betway Premiership with SuperSport United between 2019 and 2023.
At the start of the 2023/24 campaign, the 26-year-old completed a high-profile move to Kaizer Chiefs on a free transfer.
After spending a season and a half with Amakhosi, Ditlhokwe joined Libyan giants Al Ittihad SC during the 2025 January transfer window.
In his first call-up for Botswana since making a move to Libya, ‘TT’ endured a frustrating time with the Morena Ramoreboli-coached team. The talented centre-back missed Botswana’s FIFA World Cup qualifiers clash against Algeria, where they lost 3-1 on Friday, 21 March 2025, at Francistown Stadium.
WHAT BOTSWANA FA SAID ABOUT THATAYAONE DITLHOKWE
As reported by Karabo Bosena of Botswana TV, Ditlhokwe was reportedly threatened with being kicked out of the national team by BFA Vice President Tebogo Tico Kamati, who believes that the player is not the right profile for the captaincy and must be removed.
Botswana has since issued a letter of apology to Thatayaone Ditlhokwe through CEO Mfolo Edwin Mfolo, promising that such a debacle will not happen again.
“We have taken note of the conversation that occurred between one ‘Dindi’ and BFA vice president 2. As BFA we wish to categorically state that the conversation did not communicate the official position in the BFA,” the association said in a statement.
“We are really sorry about that unfortunate conversation. It is not our intention to be involved in such a situation, and that does not capsulate the values that BFA is known for. We also want to inform you that as our valued member of the national team, we were not aware of such a conversation.
“And we realised why you lost your claim and did not take what happened kindly. We fully understand your frustrations. We profusely apologise for such actions and regret the actions, we are all aware that such actions have the potential to damage that harmonious relationship we have.
“However, we hope to find a way to fix this situation and have a good working relationship between us to make our project a success. Please accept our sincere apologies for the actions that occurred. We promise you that this will never happen again.”
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