Premier League season club-by-club preview
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday October 22, 2022 06:00
Coach: Letang ‘Rasta’ Kgengwenyane
Colours: Green and Red
Home Ground: Molepolole Sports Complex
Key signings: Aobakwe Tshobo (Notwane), Ronald Setshego (Uniao Flamingo Santos) Agnecious Tebagano, Quinton Moruki (both Matebejana)
Prospect: ‘Rasta’ has once again returned to the Army Boys’ hot seat. He replaced Louis Setshwane mid-way through last season and led the team to a fifth finish. Apart from the acquisition of former junior national teams’ forward, Tshobo, BDF XI have not made any major signing. It seems Kgengwenyane will continue with the project he started in the last season. However, BDF XI do not look like a side challenging for the title but rather more of the ‘disruptive boys’ and a top-eight finish is highly likely.
Probable Finish: 4th-6th
Eleven Angels
Coach: Seemo ‘16’ Mpatane
Colours: Yellow and Blue
Home Ground: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium
Key Signings: Kudzani Sibanda (Notwane), Shangani Ngada (Sua Flamingoes), Tlotlo Kgaolo (Future Stars Academy), Thuso Monyama (Jwaneng Galaxy)
Prospect: Lekgamu la Banayana will make their Premier League debut with the youngest squad in the league. The team’s average age stands at just over 23 years. They caught the eyes of local football fans in their run to elite league promotion. The team is not short of talent but the lack of experience and resources may affect the team’s performance on the field. To survive their maiden campaign is surely the team’s primary target.
Probable Finish: 12th-14th
Extension Gunners
Coach: Oupa Kowa
Colours: Black and White
Home Ground: Lobatse Sports Complex
Key Signings: Bakang Leshona (Morupule Wanderers), Keeagile Kgosipula Ofentse Nato, Mmoloki Kebalepile (all Rollers),
Prospect: A couple of experienced signings will probably help the Gunners’ cause this season. However, off-field matters could take a toll on the team’s progress. The sleeping giants could doze for a season more. However, the team is expected to improve from last season’s ninth-place finish and squeeze into the top eight.
Probable Finish: 8th-10th
Gaborone United
Coach: Benny Kgomela
Colours: Red and White
Home Ground: National Stadium
Key Signings: Mothusi Cooper (MC Oujda, Morocco), John Mark Makwata, Duncan Otieno (Kenya Police, Kenya)
Prospect: The champions look poised to defend the title without a hassle. The team has assembled probably the best squad in the league. GU have trimmed their squad by releasing fringe and signed the experienced Kenyan duo of John Makwata and Duncan Otieno. After the CAF Champions League elimination, GU will have no distractions in their quest to defend their crown and surely they are the team to beat this season.
Probable Finish: 1st-3rd
Holy Ghost
Jwaneng Galaxy
Masitaoka
Mogoditshane Fighters
Coach: Rapelang ‘Raizor’ Tsatsilebe
Colours: Maroon and White
Home Ground: Molepolole Sports Complex
Key Signings: Alphious Kgopa (loan return, BDF XI), Michael Pillar (Security Systems), Condry Masire, Kealeboga Koko (both Masitaoka)
Prospect: They are one of the two teams making their debut in the league. However, they will probably stay longer than this campaign. The team put more focus on the defence ahead of the league season. The acquisition of coach, Rapelang Tsatsilebe, a trainer who has spent time with minnows will come in handy.
Probable Finish: 13th-15th
Coach: Morena Ramoreboli
Colours: Red and White
Home Ground: Galaxy Stadium
Key Signings: Kutlwelo Mpolokang, Kitso Mpuisang (both Rollers), Allen Ndodole (Orapa United), Joseph Pyele (loan return, Notwane)
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. Their departing stars 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.
Probable Finish: 1st-3rd
Coach: Mandla Mpofu
Colours: Blue and White
Home Ground: VTM Arena
Key Signings: Tumelo Meshack (Mochudi Rovers), Brian Mankanku (Rollers), Thabang Khuduga (Rollers), Marius Kotze (Tigers FC, Namibia)
Prospect: Majatlhaga have looked to youth in their recruitment in the off-season transfer window. There is also a new head coach at the helm, as Zimbabwean Mpofu will be making his local coaching bow this campaign. This could be a season of transition for the team and could go either way. Masitaoka would feel they belong amongst the top eight places but that will come with some difficulty.
Probable Finish: 6th-8th
Coach: Nelson Olebile
Colours: Yellow and Blue
Home Ground: Molepolole Sports Complex
Key Signings: Emmanuel Ditodi (Masitaoka), Fortunate Tuelo (Nico United), Kgotso Mokhudu (TAFIC)
Prospect: After finishing just seven points away from relegation in the previous season, Fighters could find themselves in a similar battle again this season. Olebile had saved the team from the drop with just five games to play and with a full season ahead for him, he could struggle. The team has lost some of its key players in the off-season and due to dry coffers, they have struggled to make substantive replacements.
Probable Finish: 13th-15th
Morupule
Wanderers
Nico United
Orapa United
Police XI
Coach: Daniel ‘Chicco’ Nare
Colours: Orange and Purple
Home Ground: Serowe Sports Complex
Key Signings: Maano Ditshupo (Rollers), Michael Tinye (GU), Kelapile Ndlovu (Pretoria Callies, South Africa), Ernest Ngwaga (Gilport Lions)
Prospect: Chicco has now established the type of brand of football he wants his side to play. A finish outside the top eight was somehow a disappointment for the team in the previous season. Ahead of this campaign, a rejuvenated Wanderers side could be launched and thrown into the top-eight battle. Probable Finish: 8th-10th
Coach: Philani Ncube
Colours: Green and Yellow
Home Ground: Sam Sono Stadium
Key Signings: Thatayaone Magazi (Sua Flamingoes), Brendon Chinyani, Kelvin Ndebele (both Tinyosi FC, Eswatini),
Prospect: An off-season technical team shake-up might disturb their preparations for the season. The team has also lost a lot of key players that were instrumental in the team’s return to the elite league. Nico may struggle to stay afloat and early on, are among early relegation candidates.
Probable Finish: 13th-15th
Coach: Gadimang Tiiso
Colours: Orange and White
Home Ground: Itekeng Stadium
Key Signings: Isaskar Hobasen Gurirab (Orlando Pirates, Namibia), Baokeditswe Talane (GU), Koketso Majafi (Masitaoka)Prospect: The Mogomotsi Mpote era has come to an end. Under Mpote, Orapa United became one of the most feared sides in the league. The team has made a handful of signings in the off-season, keeping the core of last season’s squad. Tiiso is at the helm now and new ideas could help the team’s cause. However, they are unlikely to challenge for the honours.
Probable Finish: 4th-6th
Coach: Maitumelo ‘Junior’ Letlamoreng
Colours: Maroon and Orange
Home Ground: Otse Stadium
Key Signings: Thabiso Boti (Orapa United)
Prospect: They have made a reputation of being smart buyers in the transfer window. This time the Jungle Kings have turned to their development side as five of their eight recruits come from their youth ranks. Forward, Boti is the only player with Premier League experience amongst the new recruits. A top-eight place is highly likely for the cops.
Probable Finish: 6th-8th
Prisons XI
Security Systems
Sua Flamingoes
Township Rollers
Coach: Sepheko Motlhagodi
Colours: Green and White
Home Ground: Otse Stadium
Key Signings: N/A
Prospect: It is surprising that a team that avoided the chop by just five points did not make any major signings ahead of the new season. The Warders once again look like a team that poses little to no threat. The team may be engulfed in the relegation battle and could find it very hard to survive this season.
Probable Finish: 13th-15th
Coach: Kaelo ‘Wire’ Kaelo
Colours: Red and White
Home Ground: Lobatse Sports Complex
Key Signings: Misani Thupa (GU), Odirile Lekoba (Gunners), Oabile Makopo, Kabelo Kuti (both Masitaoka)
Prospect: This is a team that has been on the ascendance in the past two seasons. The return of ‘Wire’ in the past campaign has seen the team reach new heights in their history. It is a very competitive squad assembled at the Tlokweng-based side and Systems are among the dark horses for the title or could prove to be the party spoilers.
Probable Finish: 4th-6th
Coach: Rahman Gumbo
Colours: Blue and White
Home Ground: Francistown Sports Complex
Key Signing: Keletso Lekuni (Eleven Angels), Brian Botsang, Botshelo Mafoko (both Notwane), Cleopas Dube (Jomo Cosmos, South Africa)
Prospect: A seventh-place finish in their debut season in the elite league will give Flamingoes a boost ahead of the new season. The team could feel assured of a top-eight spot even before the first whistle is blown. Under Gumbo, Flamingoes will cause upset once again this season and could move closer to the title race.
Probable Finish: 4th-6th