18/05/2019
On 6 April 2019, Mpho Kgaswane came as a substitute for âZiraâ in the game against âNeftchiâ, the grand of Azerbaijani football, and managed to score a double in a short time. When our team learned that he is actually from Botswana, the first one ever from the region to come to play football in Azerbaijan, we rushed to speak to him.
- How did you get to Azerbaijan in the first place? What were your first impressions of the place?
- Before Azerbaijan, I had been playing for some time for the South African side âBarokaâ, representing the Limpopo province in the countryâs Premier League. There, an Azerbaijani agent spotted me and invited to join âZiryaâ, the proposal I accepted with pleasure. So, I arrived in your country in January, amid the winter time while summer was in full bloom in South Africa. So, cold weather was probably my first impression upon arrival. But very soon, I started to feel very positively about Azerbaijan. The hospitality of its people, warm attitude, rich culture and, which is very important for me, the absence of any experience with racism made me really love it here.
Well, of course some everyday difficulties are inevitable. Not everyone in Azerbaijan speaks English, so communicating sometimes turns into a challenge. But the clubâs care and overall friendliness makes my life easy and relaxed, allowing me to concentrate on training and professional growth.
- What is football like back in Botswana? How does it compare to Azerbaijan?
- While football is definitely the most loved sport in Botswana, we cannot boast of much international success. First of all, the population is quite small and not many children have access to training grounds and training. Only a handful of players would earn the amounts typical for players in the Azerbaijani League. And for some reasons, not many players from Botswana venture to play abroad, and most of those who do go to South Africa which is close culturally and geographically. So I am one of the very few who went to pursue his career so far away. And I must mention that football here is much more tactical, and we prepare a lot for each game. I am very glad to have come here and get and opportunity to learn so much about the game of football. Of course the chance to experience Europeen football is something not to miss for me.
- As you mentioned your experience in South Africa, how would you estimate the development of football there?
- Oh, South African football is a very different story. The country has a very popular league which is rich by African standards. You would find players from dozens of African countries coming to play in South Africa, and it makes the league competitive and exciting. Most stadiums are full and fans are crazy supporting their teams, which is very different from both Botswana and Azerbaijan. The game speed is fast, too. I would even suggest that South African League could be a good school for Azeri players, too.
- How do you estimate your own progress at the club? What are your career expectations?
- I have been playing at âZiryaâ for three months, and unfortunately, we havenât been among the leaders this season in the Premier League. It took some time to adapt, and I believe I am yet to achieve spectacular results. There have been good moments, the most memorable one being the game against the title contenders from âNeftchiâ on 6 April, when I came as a substitute in the second half and scored a double in the game which we unfortunately lost. Of course, I strive to progress with the team and dream of getting to one of the European top leagues some time. My ultimate dream is to play on the pitch of the legendary âAnfield Roadâ in Liverpool.
- Our page was founded as window to Africa for Azerbaijani public. So weâd like to ask you a final question about life in Botswana: what has changed in the recent years, what are the countryâs latest achievements?
- Well, though I have been mostly living abroad for the recent years, I follow what happens in my country very closely. I am glad to see that our development is going on, there has been a significant improvement of infrastructure in many way, including the speed and accessibility of WiFi or paved roads. There are brand new learning facilities, and the government has also started to take the issue of road safety, which was a problem for many years, more seriously. Botswana remains safe and open for business, so it attracts people from the neighbouring countries interested in the opportunities we have, I sincerely hope that more and more tourists from Azerbaijani will discover my country and I am sure they will be pleased!
- Thank you, Mpho! It was very nice to meet you!
- My pleasure. Thank you!
