The former Spurs and Newcastle United midfielder is in Africa as part of a goodwill trip to promote The FA’s international outreach programme alongside Ray Clemence, the England Goalkeeper Coach and ex-Liverpool stopper.

Gascoigne and Clemence were among an FA delegation which headed out to Botswana on Monday and paid an emotional visit to the Tlokweng SOS Children’s Village on Tuesday where they took part in a match with some locals.

"Driving around here you can just see football pitches all over the place," revealed Gascoigne.

"It was great to have a game, some of the kids were excellent, they were so fast, quicker than leopards and playing in their bare feet - they were unbelievable.

"I missed about eight chances, but it was Ray who looked good out there, he was one of the quickest on the pitch," he joked.

But it was the sight of the children of Tlokweng enjoying the occasion and the chance to play football that really struck Gascoigne.

The SOS Children’s Villages is one of The FA’s international charity partners and Tlokweng provides homes for some 200 abandoned or orphaned children of all ages.

"It was heart-warming really. Some of the stories we’ve heard about the children being abandoned or orphaned are quite sad, but the work of The FA and with the likes of Ray and myself being here really seems to help.

"They got lots of kit from The FA and they were over the moon. It was amazing to see them all happy and cheerful, there didn’t seem to be one sad face which was incredible," he said.

"They played instruments for us, they danced for us and they really looked after us and showed us their houses and the projects.

"We’re in a part of the world where some people don’t realise what is going on and the work that is being done to help. It put a different perspective on things in my mind, but you can see all the good work and what they are trying to achieve here."

And the work of Gascoigne, Clemence and The FA continues in Botswana on Wednesday when they bring their two-day trip to a conclusion with a visit to an HIV treatment centre at Gaborone Hospital before they host a training session for local children at the National Stadium.