Bathusi Rathari

Also known as: BFA National Executive Committee member Bathusi Rathari

BFA national executive member serving as acting general secretary, involved in football governance decisions including foreign player quotas.

2026-05-212026-10-16

In coverage

Verbatim sentences from the source article.

May 2026
25 MayMmegi
BFA national executive committee member, Bathusi Rathari, told journalists in Gaborone on Wednesday that the decision to trim the number of foreign players from five to three will take effect at the start of the 2026-2027 FNB Premiership season.Last August, the BFA wrote to the B …
Foreign players quota stirs controversy
21 MayMmegi
BFA national executive member, Bathusi Rathari, had told journalists during a press briefing in Gaborone on Tuesday that the decision to cut foreign players will be implemented from next season.However, in an interview with MmegiSport today, BFL chairperson Sipho Showa said it wa …
'BFA erred on foreign players quota'

Sport

BFA pledges support for Mares after Olympic qualifiers exit

The News

The Botswana Football Association has pledged continued support for the senior women's national football team following their elimination from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers by Tanzania's Twiga Stars with a 7-0 aggregate scoreline. The BFA will continue engaging the team through training camps in the absence of an ongoing women's league, while the team's coach said the squad needs restructuring to create opportunities for younger players.

15 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Yesterday

BFA pledges support for Mares after Olympic qualifiers exit
The Botswana Football Association has pledged continued support for the senior women's national football team following their elimination from the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers by Tanzania's Twiga Stars with a 7-0 aggregate scoreline. The BFA will continue engaging the team through training camps in the absence of an ongoing women's league, while the team's coach said the squad needs restructuring to create opportunities for younger players.
15 October 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Monday 28 September

Botswana marks 60th independence with football doubleheader
Botswana will celebrate its 60th Independence Day at the National Stadium with the men's team (Zebras) playing Mozambique's Mambas at 3pm, followed by the women's team (Mares) facing Namibia at 6pm. The BFA said it included both teams to demonstrate commitment to gender sensitivity and Botswana's inclusive identity.
28 September 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Friday 25 September

Suspended Kgatleng Region disputes BFA over arbitration process
The suspended Kgatleng Regional Football Association executive committee has challenged the BFA's handling of its arbitration case, after discovering that their Notice of Arbitration lodged on September 4 had not been submitted to the BFA Arbitration Tribunal. The KRFA indicated willingness to cooperate with the interim administrative handover but stressed this should not be seen as admitting allegations or waiving their rights.
25 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Tuesday 22 September

Botswana withdraws from joint 2028 AFCON hosting bid
Botswana did not submit bid documents before CAF's deadline for a joint 2028 Africa Cup of Nations bid with South Africa and Zimbabwe, citing lack of funds, though football officials said no financial guarantees were required at this stage. The government decided hosting was not a priority, while football authorities view it as a missed opportunity since hosting burden would have been shared among three countries.
22 September 2026 · Mmegi →

Sunday 13 September

National team coach Ramoreboli resigns to join South Africa
Botswana football coach Morena Ramoreboli has resigned to become an assistant to South African head coach Pitso Mosimane, leaving the Zebras just a week before their Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign begins against Libya and Tunisia.
13 September 2026 · Botswana Sunday Standard →

Tuesday 1 September

Botswana football season pushed back to September 5
The 2026/27 FNBB Premiership has been delayed one week from its planned August 28 start date to September 5 due to administrative disputes between the Botswana Football Association and the Botswana Football League, unresolved club licensing requirements, and an international women's tournament being staged in Botswana.
1 September 2026 · Weekend Post →

Thursday 27 August

BFL and BFA clash over women's league start date
The BFL proposes beginning the FNB Premiership season tomorrow with a Saturday break for the COSAFA CAF Champions League Women's qualifiers, arguing action cannot be delayed as Gaborone United and Jwaneng Galaxy prepare for CAF competitions next week. The BFA requests postponement of Week 1 to allow the Women's COSAFA qualifiers to conclude.
27 August 2026 · Mmegi →

Friday 14 August

BFA reshuffles leadership and technical roles
Botswana Football Association has announced administrative and technical changes to strengthen operations, appointing Bathusi Rathari as acting general secretary while a permanent position is recruited, and redeploying technical director Kaelo Kaelo to head of coaching and research. The association aims to ensure key positions are filled by people with appropriate skills and competencies.
14 August 2026 · Daily News Botswana →

Friday 10 July

BFA mandates youth player quotas across all club levels
The Botswana Football Association has introduced new play regulations effective June 30, 2026, requiring Premier League clubs to field at least three Under-23 and two Under-20 players in every match, with stricter quotas for lower divisions, and imposing disciplinary sanctions for non-compliance.
10 July 2026 · Weekend Post →

Tuesday 23 June

BFA launches Impact Programme to restructure football governance nationwide
The Botswana Football Association, led by newly elected COSAFA president Tariq Babitseng, is implementing the BFA Impact Programme, a comprehensive initiative to overhaul governance, funding, and development of football across the nation. The programme introduces a tiered classification system for Regional Football Associations, categorizing them as Tier 1 (high capacity), Tier 2 (emerging), or Tier 3 (development), with tailored development responsibilities for each tier.
23 June 2026 · Weekend Post →

Monday 25 May

BFA trims foreign player quota to three for 2026-27
The BFA's national executive committee member announced that the foreign player limit will be reduced from five to three, effective in the 2026-2027 FNB Premiership season. This contradicts the BFA's earlier August communication to the BFL stating the change would apply from 2027-2028.
25 May 2026 · Mmegi →

Thursday 21 May

BFA foreign players quota decision denies clarity
BFA national executive member Bathusi Rathari said the decision to cut foreign players will be implemented next season, but BFL chairperson Sipho Showa called it an error on the BFA's part.
21 May 2026 · Mmegi →