One match stick is enough to light Rollers’ forest

Mqondisi Dube | Monday March 6, 2023 16:42

Rollers have been the embodiment of professionalism in recent seasons, becoming the perfect template for all local clubs aspiring to reach the top. Popa had everything going for them including setting new records by winning the league four times on the trot as well as reaching the CAF Champions League group stages for the first time.

It was a sparkling period which was undeniably driven by the arrival of financier, Jagdish Shah. Prior, Rollers were successful, yes, but they made the step up and their professionalism could be smelt from several miles away.

Doing things right, all of a sudden, appeared to be part of their DNA after the club had undergone a tumultuous period, which culminated in their relegation way back in 2003.

Even after their return, the club was embroiled in some ugly spats as Shah and his erstwhile ally, Sommerset Gobuiwang fought for the control of the club. Due to his deep pockets, the fans sided with Shah and Gobuiwang was relegated to the shadows. Tough as it was for Gobuiwang, it proved to be a masterstroke as Rollers emerged as the undoubted force in local football, sweeping everything on offer. But the relationship has plateaued and is now heading south as the supposedly infallible Shah is now at odds with some at the club. Divorce appears imminent as a relationship that was the envy of a nation, reaches break point. A Rollers supporter in Parakarungu, like the one in the club’s ancestral home in G-West’s MmaMasire, is equally perplexed as to how the glamour side got to where it is.

Things have spiraled out of control very quickly with Shah indicating, he will cut his umbilical cord with the blue nation. It was unimaginable not too long, but it looks like the fights have taken their toll. Other dyed in wool Township supporters have issued a ‘we don’t care, let him go’ sign to Shah. It sounds more of arrogance than anything else, particularly if this ‘let him go’ will result in the club returning to the dark days of low salaries and persistent financial problems. The ‘Let him go’ mantra would only make sense if another investor is lined-up, otherwise it will be naïve, high sounding nonsense if there is no Plan B, particularly to replace Shah’s unquestionable influence.

On the flip side, I hope Shah is not trying to arm twist the club to achieve a self-serving agenda.

The suspicious statement issued by one of the club’s sponsor, ‘O3’ reads more of sabotage more than anything else. If the water company is committed to Rollers’ cause, they should surely not attach their presence to one individual. Rollers are far bigger than that and should not be held at ransom by a few individuals, Shah included. What is key is some mature discussions around the issue to save Rollers, a brand and institution that has become synonymous with Botswana football. Mochudi Centre Chiefs lost Sayed Jamali and you don’t have to look far as to the impact of the investor’s departure. Just check the log - not in the Premier League, but the First Division table, that’s where you will find Chiefs. I am not certain that if Shah leaves, it will have a similar impact on Rollers, but without a sound replacement, Popa’s forest might burn.