Gaborone United players perform a mysterious ritual ahead of their match against Young Africans in the CAF Champions League

A scene that was unusual to say the least took place on Saturday 5 September during the first qualifying round of the 2026–2027 CAF Champions League.

Whilst Botswana’s Gaborone United were hosting Tanzania’s Young Africans, several players from the Botswana club were filmed gathering on the pitch at the Botswana National Stadium just before kick-off to sprinkle a powder.

The footage, which quickly went viral on social media, sparked numerous reactions and questions amongst supporters. However, it has not been possible to identify the exact nature of this powder or the reasons behind this gesture, which took place on the pitch itself before the match.

This type of ritual, sometimes associated with traditional or spiritual practices in African football, fuels public curiosity. The match, played at Gaborone United’s home ground, ended in a 1–1 draw.