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Rollers, Zonetwo end partnership months after deal was signed

Township Rollers and Zonetwo Sportswear have mutually agreed to part ways barely months after entering into a commercial partnership at the start of the season, as the club moves to secure what it describes as a more financially beneficial interim deal.

In a joint statement, the two parties said Rollers had opted for a new strategic direction, which includes a stand-in commercial partnership better aligned with the club’s current financial realities and long-term objectives.
The early separation highlights the financial pressures facing local clubs, even those with Rollers’ stature, amid rising operational costs and limited commercial opportunities in the domestic game.

Zonetwo Sportswear confirmed it had chosen to step aside “putting the team first”, allowing Rollers to pursue a deal that strengthens the club’s financial position. The brand emphasised that the decision was taken with mutual respect and professionalism, and not as a result of a dispute.

The club did not disclose the identity of the stand-in partner, suggesting the arrangement may be short-term as Rollers continue to explore longer-term commercial options.
Zonetwo said it remains proud of its brief association with Rollers and wished the club success going forward.

The development underlines a growing trend in Botswana football, where financial sustainability is increasingly outweighing continuity in commercial partnerships.

Football resumes, but clubs now foot part of the bill

The Premier League action returns this weekend but this time, clubs will be playing under new financial realities.

As the league prepares to resume fixtures on January 16, the Botswana Football League (BFL) has introduced fresh matchday contribution measures that will see clubs sharing the cost of match officials. The move comes amid continued financial pressure on the league, with revenues failing to match the rising cost of running fixtures.

In a statement shared to club chairpersons on Tuesday evening, the BFL made it clear that the decision was driven by necessity rather than preference. “However, due to the prevailing financial challenges currently faced by the league, all participating clubs shall be required to contribute equally towards match officials’ costs in order to ensure that league matches proceed as scheduled,” the statement reads.

The contribution model applies equally to all teams, regardless of home or away status, effectively spreading the burden as the league fights to keep the season on track. It is a reminder that while football returns to the pitch, the game behind the scenes remains under strain.

For clubs already juggling tight budgets, the new measures add another layer of responsibility but they also highlight a shared commitment to keeping the league alive at a time when postponements or cancellations remain a real threat.

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🇪🇸 European Touch Returns At Chiefs! 🇪🇸

Mochudi Centre Chiefs welcome Miguel Corral Torreira, the first European coach since Dragojlo Stanojlović (2013–14), to lead the club into a new chapter.

Torreira joins a proud tradition of continental expertise at Chiefs, tasked with finishing top three, challenging for the cup, and building a strong squad for the future.

Branch Strikes First as Dakar 2026 Roars to Life

Ross Branch has fired the first warning shot at the 2026 Dakar Rally, storming to victory in Stage 1 to underline his intentions for the season. The Hero MotoSports factory rider topped the bikes category over the demanding 215km stage, clocking 2:15:22 in a performance that screamed authority rather than luck.

Branch led the field into the km 215 fuel stop and never looked back, holding off a fierce challenge from Red Bull KTM duo Daniel Sanders and Edgar Canet. Sanders finished 54 seconds adrift, while Canet followed at 1 minute 11 seconds, as the early battle lines of the rally began to form. Another heavyweight, American ace Ricky Brabec, lurked ominously in fourth place at 1 minute 36 seconds, ensuring the contest remains brutally tight.

For Branch, this was more than just a stage win. It was a statement. The local rider is on a clear mission to reclaim the world title he won in 2024, and there was a calm, calculated edge to his riding that suggested unfinished business.
The Dakar Rally, the opening round of the six-event 2026 World Rally-Raid Championship (W2RC), is notorious for punishing overconfidence. But if Stage 1 is any indication, Branch has started smart, strong and seriously focused. The road is long, but the tone has been set.

Chiefs Part Ways With Piro

Mochudi Centre Chiefs have parted ways with head coach Pontsho “Piro” Moloi, drawing the curtain on his tenure at the club at a time when the team remains in the title conversation but with ground to make up.

In a statement issued on Sunday morning, Chiefs confirmed that the club and Moloi had mutually agreed to separate with immediate effect. As is often the case in such announcements, no detailed reasons were given for the decision.
Moloi departs with Chiefs sitting fifth on the league standings, eight points adrift of the log leaders. While still within striking distance, the gap appears to have tested the club’s patience as the season enters a decisive phase where consistency is non-negotiable.

During his spell at the Kgatleng outfit, Moloi was credited with instilling professionalism and structure, navigating a demanding environment where expectations remain high and results are closely scrutinised. Performances were mixed, but the club acknowledged his commitment and contribution during his time at the helm.

Chiefs thanked Moloi for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours, signalling a respectful end to the relationship. The club further indicated that updates regarding the technical bench would be communicated in due course.

With the team still firmly in the top five, attention now turns to who will steer Chiefs as they attempt to close the gap on the leaders and revive their championship ambitions.

Rollers Convey In Palapye To Address Financial Woes

Township Rollers have summoned all their affiliated branches to a Special General Meeting (SGM) scheduled for this Saturday, October 11, in Palapye as the club seeks urgent solutions to its financial troubles.

In a notice dated October 8, 2025, Rollers Secretary General Obert Kgati confirmed that the meeting will be held at Desert Sands from 9am. The session follows a resolution taken during the club’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on September 20 at Cresta Lodge in Gaborone.

During that AGM, member Joseph Paakane proposed that the club convene a special sitting to tackle its financial challenges, a motion that was unanimously adopted.

Affiliated branches have been instructed to send three delegates each, all in good standing, in line with the Rollers constitution.

According to the notice, the meeting agenda will include an overview of the club’s financial status, an open floor for members to present ideas and suggestions, and the setting of action items and responsibilities moving forward.

“The meeting presents an opportunity for all members to engage in open dialogue and collaborate towards actionable solutions that will benefit Township Rollers FC and ensure a sustainable future,” Kgati stated.

Township Rollers, one of Botswana’s most successful football clubs, has been grappling with reported financial instability in recent months. The upcoming meeting is expected to produce key resolutions aimed at restoring stability and ensuring the club’s long-term survival both on and off the pitch.

BFL Charges Rollers and Players

The Botswana Football League has charged Township Rollers for failing to honour their league fixture against Calendar Stars on 25 September 2025. The charges cite both the missed match and conduct bringing the league into disrepute.

Rollers missed their league clash with Calendar Stars on 25 September and now both the club and 20 players face charges for bringing the league into disrepute.

Unusual move: players being charged individually is rare, but the league is sending a clear message. The no-show came after reports of over 3 months unpaid salaries.

Simba to appoint GU's Pantev

Tanzanian giants, Simba SC is about to welcome a new footballing brain on the touchline. Bulgarian coach Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev has officially agreed to join on as the new head coach of Simba SC, penning a two-year deal that runs until June 2027, as per media reports.

The 49-year-old tactician arrives with a glowing CV and a reputation for quick impact. Simba had to dig deep, paying compensation to Gaborone United (GU) to secure his release, proof of just how highly rated he is on the continent. His flight lands tomorrow, marking the start of what could be a new era for the Tanzanian giants.

Pantev isn’t coming alone but he’s keeping his inner circle tight. He will be flanked by only one assistant coach, with the rest of Simba’s technical team kept on board until their contracts run out in June. After that, the Bulgarian will have the freedom to decide who stays in his backroom setup.

What makes Pantev special? He’s not a man of theory, but of results. In just over a year in Botswana, he turned heads by guiding Orapa United into the CAF Confederation Cup group stages for the very first time in the club’s history. If that wasn’t enough, he powered Gaborone United to a Botswana Premier League title, further underlining his knack for lifting silverware.

Before his southern African adventure, Pantev stamped his authority in Central Africa, steering Victoria United of Cameroon to the league crown. Wherever he’s gone, success has followed and that’s exactly the kind of pedigree Simba fans demand.

📷: GU

Botswana Strike Gold in 4x400m Relay Final

Botswana has pulled off one of the biggest shocks in world athletics, storming to victory in the men’s 4x400m relay final to claim gold ahead of global giants the United States and South Africa.

In a pulsating final, Botswana’s quartet crossed the finish line in 2:57.76, edging out the United States, who clocked 2:57.83, and South Africa, who settled for bronze in 2:57.83. The thrilling finish saw just fractions of a second separating the medal positions, underlining the intensity of the contest.

Belgium narrowly missed the podium with a respectable 2:58.49, while Qatar (3:01.64), Great Britain & Northern Ireland (3:01.05) and Jamaica (3:03.46) rounded off the standings.

The victory is monumental for Botswana, not just because it came against nations with established sprinting pedigrees, but because it confirms the Southern African nation as a rising power in the world of track and field.