Botswana ‘stunned by age cheating claims’

BOTSWANA Football Association (BFA) has expressed their surprise at Rwanda’s claims that they fielded overage players when the two countries met in the African U-17 Youth Championships qualifiers last month.BFA official, Stephen Maleka was quoted in Botswana’s local media, saying that all their players on the U-17 team are within the required age. “I am surprised by the news coming from Rwanda because the players used are the same that played against Malawi and Rwanda in the first leg,” said Maleka.He revealed that the players underwent Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) tests and produced the results in both matches.Under-17 team manager, Orapeleng ‘Raizer’ Tsatsilebe was equally surprised by Ferwafa’s claims and said they are just trying to make unfounded allegations.He pointed out that the players did their MRI test in August and the results and list were sent to CAF at the time.“Even the match commissioner gave all the documents we provided, the thumbs up. I do not understand how they could make such damning allegations when they had our passports bearing the ages of the players,” he said.He suspects the claims could be stemming from earlier complaints (BFA) had raised with regard to Rwanda’s failure to produce their documents in the first leg.The Young Zebras defeated their Rwandan counterparts to progress to the next stage of 2013 African Under-17 Youth Championships qualifiers. Botswana had won the first leg 1-0 at Molepolole Sports Complex two weeks ago and lost 1-0 in the second leg.This forced the two sides to go into penalty shoot outs and the Young Zebras won 5-6.The six players who are reportedly above the age of 17 include; Kgosipule Keeagile, Outlule Wakgotla, Lebogang Ditsile, Daniel Kedidimetse, Thato Kebue and Thatayaone Ramatlapeng.Rwanda took the case to the Confederation of African Football, who are yet to make any decision. If found guilty, Botswana face disqualification, hence handing Rwanda another chance to remain in the tournament.