Finally, the football rolls
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday October 4, 2024 15:10
BDF XI
Coach: Nelson Setshwane Colours: Green and Red Home grounds: Lobatse Sports Complex and National Stadium Key signings: Norris Mwamba (City of Lusaka, Zambia), Onkemetse Powe (Orapa United), Poloko Nkalolang (GU) Bonno Sepako (UB Kicks), and Botlhe Pansiri (Gunners)
Prospect: As expected BDF did not go for high-profile signings but the arrival of forward, Onkemetse Powe would add the needed experience in the attack line. The youthful defensive duo of Botlhe Pansiri and Bonno Sepako outline the Camo Boys' plan beyond this campaign. The team is, nonetheless, not expected to challenge for honours. However, it will be a shocker if they finish in the bottom half of the table. Last season's finish: 8th Probable finish: 4th–6th
CHADIBE FC
Coach: Christopher Mwanza Colours: Gold and Dark Blue Home grounds: Obedi Itani Chilume Stadium and Francistown Council Stadium Key signings: Morris Ruzivo (Systems), Ronel Manyanga (GU), Itumeleng Salani (Masitaoka), Kobamelo Kebaikanye (Majweng SC), and Kudzani Sibanda (TAFIC)
Prospect: It is a moment of pride for the side that is making its Premier League debut just a year before its 10th anniversary. The team has added the experienced Morris Ruzivo and Kobamelo Kebaikanye to their rooster while the exciting talents of Ronel Manyanga and Itumeleng Salani would add the needed stability in the squad. Chadibe are, however, amongst the less-resourced teams in the league and could be set for a difficult debut season. Last season's finish: Promoted Probable finish: 14th–16th
EXTENSION GUNNERS
Coach: Mike Sithole Colours: Black and White Home ground: Lobatse Sports Complex Key signings: Tlhalefo Molebatsi, Tonderai Nyakumba (both Police XI), Gape Gaogangwe (TAFIC), Baokeditswe Talane (Orapa United), and Patrick Kaunda (Holy Ghost)
Prospect: Lobatse has sparked to life with the return of Gunners to the elite league. The team is led by league championship-winning coach, Mike Sithole and the mentor has proven a hard nut to crack over the past years. Gunners have assembled a good squad with a mixture of the new signings and the squad from the previous season. Although they are not expected to challenge this season, Gunners do not look like a relegation team. They might push for a place in the top half of the table. Last season's finish: Promoted Probable finish: 8th–10th
FLAMINGO SANTOS
Coach: George Mogopodi Colours: Sky Blue and White Home ground: BPSC Stadium Key signings: Arnold Mampori (Tlokweng United), Mpho Kgomo (Galaxy), Bakang Leshona (Chiefs), Botlhe Moralo (Holy Ghost), and Moloi Thuto (Masitaoka)
Prospect: Another veteran tactician returns to the elite league as Mogopodi takes charge of Santos. Ma-14 squeezed into the top league via the promotional playoffs. The team is miles behind most Premier League rivals in terms of quality in the squad. Santos might find it hard to move away from the relegation zone for most parts of the campaign. Last season's finish: Promoted Probable finish: 14th–16th
GABORONE UNITED
Coach: Pontsho Moloi Colours: Red and White Home ground: National Stadium and BPSC Stadium Key signings: Thabo Maponda (Matebele), Ezekiel Morake (Pretoria Callies, South Africa), Mannered Matsikidze (Highlands Park, South Africa), Mateus Gaspar Domingos (Grupo Desportivo Sagrada Esperanca, Angola), and Rameez Dharsey (Masitaoka)
Prospect: The former champions were not as active as they were expected to be in the market. GU, however, were intelligent buyers as they filled up the positions that lacked depth from the previous season. The core of the squad remains and GU could go a step further than their third-place finish in the previous season. Last season's finish: 3rd Probable finish: 1st-3rd
JWANENG GALAXY
Coach: Morena Ramoreboli Colours: Maroon and White Home ground: Galaxy Stadium Key signings: Tebogo Kopelang (Systems), Benson Mangolo (Ihefu SC, Tanzania loan), Onkabetse Makgantai (TAFIC), Olebogeng Ramotse (Masitaoka), and Neo Mokhachane (VTM)
Prospect: This is a team that will surely challenge for the championship. They have kept the core of the team that finished second last season. Departures have been superbly replaced. There is depth in the team and in his second season in charge, coach Morena Ramoreboli will be challenging for the honours. The elimination from the CAF Champions League could be a blessing in disguise for the team, as they will shift focus to domestic competitions. Last season's finish: Champions Probable finish: 1st–3rd
MATEBELE FC
Coach: Sean Connor Colours: Purple and White Home ground: Dinaledi Academy Stadium Key signings: Stoffel Witbeen (Okahanja United, Namibia), Gabriel van Neel (Masitaoka), Tinashe Chinyani (BDF XI), Boyo Lechaena (Gunners), and Kamogelo Mogomotsi (Police XI)
Prospect: The arrival of Irish tactician, Sean Connor could improve the team. Matebele are not likely to improve from their last season's 11th-place finish. The team has lost a key man in Thabo Maponda but has made promising signings to improve the squad with the likes of Lechaena and Zimbabwean forward, Chinyani. Last season's finish: 11th Probable finish: 8th-10th
MOCHUDI CENTRE CHIEFS
Coach: Enosi Mmesi Colours: Black and White Home ground: National Stadium and BPSC Stadium Key signings: Monty Enosa (Masitaoka), Thatayaone Ramatlapeng, Chicco Molefe (both Galaxy), Lebopo Moremi (Rollers), and Jackson Lesole (Morupule)
Prospect: There is huge excitement around the team's return to the top league. Magosi leadership has also spiced it up with the acquisition of Enosa and Ramatlapeng, amongst others. The addition of the youthful, Seemo Mpatane to the technical team has also raised the Magosi faithful hopes. The club's financial woes seem to be a thing of the past due to Jimmy Haskins Kereng's backing. Chiefs are a potential top-half team. Probable finish: 6th-8th
MORUPULE WANDERERS
Coach: Phillimon Makwengwe Colours: Orange and Purple Home ground: Serowe Sports Complex Key signings: Kelvin Ndebele (Nico United), Denver Meyer, Michael Pillar (Holy Ghost), Katlego Mbise (TAFIC), and Gaone Japane (Tonota FC)
Prospect: In his first full season as Wanderers head coach, Makwengwe has done some spring cleaning in the squad. A number of long-serving players have left the club while some exciting players including Under-20 forward, Japane, have joined the team. Wanderers are amongst the well-resourced teams and Makwengwe will aim for a top-eight finish after a horrendous 2023–2024 season. It could be a transitional football season for the Coal Boys and they could make huge improvements on the field. Last season's finish: 13th Probable finish: 6th–8th
NICO UNITED
Coach: Botshelo Pelokgosi Colours: Green and Yellow Home ground: Sam Sono Stadium Key signings: Basiamisi Sebapalo (Police XI), Kenalemang Neo (GU), Miguel Kgomo (City Polar), Tebogo Ishmael, and Fungai Muzila (both Eleven Angels)
Prospect: An off-season technical team shake-up might disturb their preparations for the season. The return of Pelokgosi could help steady the ship. He guided the team back to the Premiership a year ago. The team has lost a lot of key players who played an important role in the team's return to the elite league including inspirational forward, Kelvin Ndebele who has joined Morupule Wanderers. Nico may struggle to stay afloat and are amongst the early relegation candidates. Last season's finish: 12 Probable finish: 10th–12th
ORAPA UNITED
Coach: Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev Colours: Orange and White Home ground: Itekeng Stadium Key signings: Azande Aime Azande (TAFIC), Oarabile Sekwai (Police XI), Botsile Sakana, Obakeng Senono (Masitaoka), and Kamara Ballie (FC Bea Mountain, Sierra Leone)
Prospect: The Ostriches look like a team that will cause a lot of havoc in the upcoming season. Orapa have assembled a relatively young squad after parting ways with several players over the age of 30. There is a glimmer of hope under Bulgarian, Dimitar Nikolaev Pantev. This is especially after the team reached the group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup recently. They have lived in the shadow of their mining brothers, Jwaneng Galaxy and Orapa could finally pop into the spotlight this season. The team could fare much better after a below-par campaign last season. Last season's finish: 10th Probable finish: 2nd–4th
SECURITY SYSTEMS
Coach: David Bothasitse Colours: Red and White Home ground: Lobatse Sports Complex Key signings: Morgan Gaseitsiwe (Nico), Shaun Theron (Young Stars), and Gorata Bogale (Masitaoka)
Prospect: There are not too many changes in the team from the technical to the playing staff and this could bring stability and probably consistent results in the upcoming season. The club has also decided to go for younger players in the market and this shows Systems have an eye on the future but they would need to find their feet early. This is a team that has been consistent in the top four for the past three seasons and they are expected to keep the momentum this season under club legend, Bothasitse. Last season's finish: 4th Probable finish: 4th–6th
SUA FLAMINGOES
Coach: Mandla Mpofu Colours: Blue and White Home ground: Sowa Town Council Stadium Key signings: Phenyo Serameng (Rollers), Obakeng Ramotlhwa (Masitaoka), Serati Semadi (Young Stars), Tawana Mbakile, and Bokang Rathipana (both Systems)
Prospect: They have finished seventh twice and eighth once in their three-year stay in the top league. Flamingoes are expected to move a place higher this season after being very active in the transfer market. Mpofu completed his first season with the club last season. Ahead of his second, he has the right arsenal to challenge for honours and it will be interesting to see if the club could go all the way to clinch their first ever title. Flamingoes are expected to fare much better than their two first seasons in the top-flight league. Last season's finish: 7th Probable finish: 4th–6th
TOWNSHIP ROLLERS
Coach: Mogomotsi Mpote Colours: Blue and Yellow Home Grounds: Royal Aria Stadium and National Stadium Key signings: Mothusi Cooper (free agent), Ambrosius Amseb (Masitaoka), Botshelo Mangena (Police XI), Tapiwa Nyamanjiva, and Lemogang Maswena (Orapa)
Prospect: The club has called upon Mpote as they want to end their barren four-season streak. He is the last local coach to lead Rollers to a league title and he will hope for the same fortunes in the upcoming season. Pundits felt the team needed a proven goal scorer to make a difference from last season's second-placed finish. The arrival of Amseb and Christopher Lemme could make a huge difference. The team has meanwhile found cover at centre-back and full-back positions with the arrivals of Simon Bapaletswe and Botshelo Mangena. Cooper and Nyamanjiva are set to provide that stability in the midfield. Popa once again look like a championship-winning side. Last season's finish: Runners-up Probable Finish: 1st–2nd
TAFIC
Coach: Elias Chinyemba Colours: Red and White Home grounds: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium and Francistown Council Stadium
Key signings: Manda Ma-gloire (CASA Sports, Senegal), Thatayaone Nkwapa (UB Hawks), Kazadi Gauthier Kalombo (Passion Yetu Football Academy, DRC), and Jeagogo Lubumba Lwamba (Red Eagles Joli-Site Football Academy, DRC) Prospect: Following the success of Congolese, Azende Aime Azende in the previous season, TAFIC have since gone to the Central African state for talent. The team has three new players from the DRC. The return of Chinyemba is also a boost for a team that performed beyond expectations last season. Last season's finish: 4th Probable finish: 6th–8th
VTM FC
Coach: Reuben Njavera Chikoti Colours: Gold and Dark Blue Home Ground: VTM Arena Key Signings: None
Prospect: VTM were expected to sell their Premier League status this window but the team will stay on for another campaign. They were very quiet in the market and had to rely on their development teams. VTM will heavily struggle to replicate their last season's form. Last season's finish: 6th Probable finish: 14th–16th