Gaborone derby heads to Lobatse
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday May 13, 2023 06:00
The Botswana Premier League's (BPL) seller fixture came under scrutiny earlier this week after the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) confirmed the National Stadium's unavailability.
Through a statement, the BNSC indicated on Tuesday that the National Stadium will be unavailable for football activities from tomorrow (May 13) until further notice.
The BNSC said the stadium will host the Botswana Defence (BDF) Day celebrations on May 20, the same day city rivals, Township Rollers and Gaborone United (GU) are scheduled to meet. From May 20, the National Stadium will be given a breather to go through a recovery process.
Rollers and GU were left with no option but to seek an alternative venue. Speaking to Mmegi Sport, Rollers' interim chairperson, Bafana Pheto said the initial discussions with the league authority suggest that the Lobatse Sports Complex will host the tie but pending a final decision. "We (clubs) do not decide the match venues, the Premier League does. But they have suggested Lobatse (Sports Complex).
So we are waiting for the final decision from them," Pheto briefly said.
The Gaborone Derby is the headline fixture in the local league calendar and has never failed to attract numbers. Apart from the National Stadium, just two venues have a capacity of more than 20,000, namely, the Lobatse Sports Complex and the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown while Rollers' home ground, the Royal Aria Stadium and the Molepolole Sports Complex are also options. Pundits and fans alike are in agreement over the derby tie needing a much bigger venue.
The security and safety threats have been voiced based on previous events. In February 2022, the clash between the two decorated sides in the league descended into chaos at an overflowing Royal Aria Stadium.
The safety of the supporters, players, and team and match officials was compromised. The venue proved too small to host a fixture of this magnitude as some of the two teams' supporters sought refuge on the roof of the stands to catch a glimpse of the action. No decision has been taken, however, on the Orange FA Cup semi-final tie between Rollers and GU to be played on May 27.
The game could also be affected by the unavailability of the National Stadium.