Botswana to play Brazil

Botswana are set to play five-time world champions Brazil in a friendly in Gaborone on April 1.

The game will be part of celebrations to mark the swearing-in of Sir Seretse Khama Ian Khama as the southern African country’s new President. Ian Khama is the son of Botswana’s first ever President, and will take over from President Festus Mogae.The president of the Botswana FA Philip Makgalemele told BBC Sport that playing Brazil is “a big achievement”.He said the match will also help Botswana’s preparations for the upcoming 2010 World and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.”Everybody in the world wants to play against Brazil and for a country like Botswana to do so is a huge milestone,” he said.Makgalemele also expressed the hope that the Samba kings would set up a training camp in the country ahead of 2010 World Cup in neighbouring South Africa.On the other hand, Brazil’s ambassador to the southern African region, Joao Inacio Padilha, told BBC Sport that the core of the team that will play Botswana will be local.”As you might be aware, football in Brazil is like a religion.All Brazilian players are excellent.I hope Botswana will learn a lot from the match,” he said.He added: “Botswana is a small and ambitious country and their state of football has improved over the past years.”The last time the Brazil played a southern African country was in 1996 when they beat South Africa 3-2.www.bbc.comIan Khama is the son of Botswana’s first ever President, and will take over from President Festus Mogae.The president of the Botswana FA Philip Makgalemele told BBC Sport that playing Brazil is “a big achievement”.He said the match will also help Botswana’s preparations for the upcoming 2010 World and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.”Everybody in the world wants to play against Brazil and for a country like Botswana to do so is a huge milestone,” he said.Makgalemele also expressed the hope that the Samba kings would set up a training camp in the country ahead of 2010 World Cup in neighbouring South Africa.On the other hand, Brazil’s ambassador to the southern African region, Joao Inacio Padilha, told BBC Sport that the core of the team that will play Botswana will be local.”As you might be aware, football in Brazil is like a religion.All Brazilian players are excellent.I hope Botswana will learn a lot from the match,” he said.He added: “Botswana is a small and ambitious country and their state of football has improved over the past years.”The last time the Brazil played a southern African country was in 1996 when they beat South Africa 3-2.www.bbc.com