After the wait, off we go!
Kabelo Boranabi | Saturday October 7, 2023 06:00
BDF XI Coach: Nelson Setshwane Colours: Green and red Home ground: Otse Stadium Key signings: Motlomelo Mkhwanazi (Bantu FC, Lesotho), Emmanuel Sekwena (Holy Ghost), Agrippa Murimba (Nico United), Brandon Tinashe Chinyani (Tinyosi FC, Eswatini) Prospect: Setshwane has once again taken the head coach reigns at the Army Boys. He replaces Letang 'Rasta' Kgengwenyane who led the team to a 10th finish last season.
This is the team's lowest finish in recent years and Setshwane will look to take the team back into the top half places. The acquisition of forwards, Murimba and Sekwena will add the much-needed depth up front. Mkhwanazi's versatility will bring cover in the midfield and defence positions. However, the teams have not changed face that much with five acquisitions in the market. Probable finish: 8th–10th
Eleven Angels Coach: Seemo '16' Mpatane Colours: Yellow and blue Home ground: Francistown City Council Stadium Key signings: Ontiretse Ranthakeng (Santa Green), Gomolemo Buka (Makungulupeswa FC), Kaone Bogosi, Kgosietsile Makula (both on loan from Orapa United) Prospect: This youthful side defied the odds as they finished sixth in their debut season.
Angels have, however, lost several key players in the off-season. Despite the losses, the management has stuck to its recruitment pattern with players from lower leagues and the development side. It will be a struggle to maintain their top-half position but 'Lekgamu la Bananyana' proved they are not a walkover in the past season. Eleven Angels will be gunning for yet another respectable finish this season. Probable finish: 6th–8th
Gaborone United Coach: Pontsho Moloi Colours: Red and white Home ground: National Stadium Key signings: Sheikh Sesay (Watanga FC, Liberia), Molaodi Tlhalefang, Poloko Nkalolang (both Security Systems), Thabang Khuduga (Masitaoka) Prospect: The elimination from the CAF Confederations Cup could do GU a favour as the team returned to competitive action earlier than other sides. The Reds have now played 360 minutes of active competition. This has given the technical team a chance to 'cook' up the team ahead of the league opener. Moyagoleele have only four additions from the market but have kept the core of their squad. GU are a natural contender but the challenge for the league honours will be more than a two-horse this season. The Reds may finish slightly lower than last season's second-place finish. Probable finish: 2nd–4th
Holy Ghost Coach: Reuben Njavera Colours: Maroon and white Home grounds: VTM Arena Key signings: Denver Meyer (Township Rollers), Brendon Kenosi (Extension Gunners), Joshua Ngoma (Mpulungu Harbour FC, Zambia), Christopher Kasolo (Jumulo FC, Zambia), Kabelano Mooketsane (Maruapula Hungry Leopards) Prospect: The Holy Boys have lost attacking options in Godknows Mutina and Emmanuel Sekwena in the off-season. The arrival of Ngoma, last season's top goal scorer at Mpulungu Harbour FC, alongside former Zambian youth international, Kasolo will add the needed experience to the team.
Holy Ghost's new man, Njavera will have to pull a rabbit out of the hat after the team survived relegation by a whisker. It will be a much tougher assignment for the Zambian as four teams face the chop this season. Probable finish: 13th–15th
Jwaneng Galaxy Coach: Morena Ramoreboli Colours: Maroon and white Home ground: Galaxy Stadium Key signings: Goitseone Phoko (GU), Dynamo Carlos Fredericks (Black Africa, Namibia), Omaatla Kebatho (Orapa United), Chicco Molefe (Police XI), Cleopas Dube (Sua Flamingoes) Prospect: The champions made some smart purchases in the off-season. Phoko is expected to bring the much-needed experience in the last man of defence position. The acquisition of last season's joint Golden Boot winner, Kebatho, is a clear statement of what the team wants in front of goals while Dube will provide the coaching bench with options upfront. Molefe and Fredericks are also high-profile signings and compete for places in the central midfield and left-back positions. Galaxy have sent warning signs with their performance in the CAF Champions League and they are outright favourites for a second consecutive league title. Probable finish: 1st–2nd
Masitaoka Coach: Thaloba Nthaga Colours: Blue and white Home ground: VTM Arena Key signings: Botsile Sakana (Notwane), Romin Berndt (Tura Magic, Namibia), Tshomarelo More (City Polar), Rameez Dharsey (Sampdoria FC, South Africa), Obakeng Senono (Notwane) Prospect: In their debut season, Majatlhaga finished seventh. The quality in the youthful squad ensured a top-half finish. This season under a new coach, Nthaga, Masitaoka faithful could be set for the same fortunes. The team was also smart in the market and recruited only in positions that needed to be beefed up ahead of the new season. Probable finish: 6th–8th
Matebele FC Coach: Nicholas Woody Jacobs Colours: Purple and white Home ground: National Stadium Key signings: Tawana Chikori (Arenel Movers FC, Zimbabwean), Derl Goagoseb, McCartney Naweseb (both Orlando Pirates, Namibia), Romeo Kasume (Ongos FC, Namibia), Mbemutjiua Mata (Young African, Namibia), Maatla Magosha (Mochudi Centre Chiefs) Prospect: The team will make its Premier League debut under veteran Namibian tactician, Jacobs. It is no surprise that the team went fishing on the Namibian shores with three players from the western neighbours. Jacobs is praised for his work with the youngsters and Matebele FC have four teenagers in their squad including 16-year-old, Dirang Pilane. Matebele are not counted among the top half-finishers but would not be among the relegation positions. Probable finish: 8th–10th
Morupule Wanderers Coach: Rahman Gumbo Colours: Orange and purple Home ground: Serowe Sports Complex Key signings: Jackson Lesole (Township Rollers), Dominic Chongwa (Sua Flamingoes), Pako Gaofose (Police XI), Leeroy Mavunga, Joseph Gojamang (both Orapa United), Tanka Makaripe (Midlands State University-Zimbabwe) Prospect: This is one of the teams that was engulfed in the relegation battle last season. Most of their recruitments were meant to add some bit of Premier League experience in the defence and attack while there is also an addition of promising talents from the development structures. Under the tutelage of an experienced coach in Gumbo, Wanderers are not expected to be among the relegation positions but could struggle for a place in the top eight. Probable finish: 10th–12th
Nico United Coach: Wame 'Pepezino' Mokoke Colours: Green and yellow Home ground: Sam Sono Stadium Key signings: Joseph Pyele (Jwaneng Galaxy), Kabelo Babusi (loan from Galaxy), Morgan Gaseitsiwe (loan from Township Rollers), Kamogelo Basimanebotlhe (Holy Ghost) Prospect: It is a completely new setup at Majombolo with 11 new signings and nine departures. There is also a new face on the technical bench, as Mokoke has taken over the reins. The youthful tactician has managed to work some magic wherever he has been. Nico have welcomed back striker, Gaseitsiwe from Rollers on a loan transfer. Pyele and Babusi will also add the firepower Nico lacked last season. Probable finish: 12th–14th
Orapa United Coach: Taurayi Mangwiro Colours: Orange and white Home ground: Itekeng Stadium Key signings: Ivan Kamberipa (Masitaoka), Tshepo Malgas (GU), Keeagile Kgosipula (Extension Gunners), Eric Ookame (Eleven Angels), Thabo Metlhayotlhe (BDF XI) Prospect: The Ostriches had a fair performance in the transfer market and managed to retain most of their key players. The departure of Kebatho will leave a void up front. The signings, Metlhayotlhe and Ookame, will bring their scoring prowess to the Itekeng Stadium. Despite having mixed results in the pre-season games, the Ostriches may be creeping in the shadows and a top-four finish will be decent for the team. Probable finish: 3rd–5th
Police XI Coach: Maitumelo 'Junior' Letlamoreng Colours: Maroon and orange Home ground: Otse Stadium Key signings: Basiamisi Sebapalo (Jwaneng Galaxy), Banele Ndzabadzaba (Mbabane Highlanders, Eswatini), Karabo Setoutwe (Prisons XI), Ricardo Gonzalez Tsuseb (Outjo Football Academy, Namibia) Boikobo Matakule (promoted from development) Prospect: The exciting talent of 17-year-old, Matakule could be the team's biggest recruit this window. The younger star has made his Zebras debut even before making his first appearance for Police XI. The Jungle Kings have stuck to their minimal spending tradition in the market. There are not many changes in the team but the arrival of Sebapalo in the heart of defence could be a difference. A third of the Jungle Kings' squad is 21 years and under. Police XI could, however, struggle for a top-eight spot and could be just above the relegation position. Probable finish: 11th–13th
Security Systems Coach: David 'Lefty' Bothasitse Colours: Red and white Home ground: Lobatse Sports Complex Key signing: Michael Tinye (Morupule Wanderers) Prospect: This is a team that will be in a rebuilding phase after losing some of its key players. There have not been many additions to the Tlokweng-based side and the team could struggle to better last season's fifth-place finish. All eyes will be on new head coach, Bothasitse, after he was given his first Premier League head coach job. He spent five years as an assistant coach. Probable finish: 9th–11th
Sua Flamingoes Coach: Mandla Mpofu Colours: Red and white Home ground: Sowa Town Council Stadium Key signings: Mario Kotze (Masitaoka), Bame Morwalela (Township Rollers), Godknows Mutina (Security Systems), Boikobo Osupile, Thabang Mooketsi (both Jwaneng Galaxy), Brian Tukula (Mahalapye Railway Highlanders) Prospect: The Flam Boys had to dig deep last season to finish eighth. Their fortunes could improve this season with the arrival of Mpofu on the bench. The Zimbabwean did a tremendous job at Masitaoka in his first Premier League experience. The team does not have high profile signings but there is some bit of quality in the squad. Flamingoes will spend more hours on the road than any other team, for the away matches and that could have an impact on their progress this season. Probable finish: 7th–9th
TAFIC Coach: Philemon Makwengwe Colours: Red and white Home ground: Obed Itani Chilume Stadium Key signings: Gape Gaogangwe (Jwaneng Galaxy), Tumelo Majola (on loan from Orapa United), Kudzani Sibanda (Eleven Angels) Prospect: TAFIC has been somewhat of a yo-yo team. They will be looking to change their fortunes under the well-travelled, Makwengwe. The experienced coach has a track record of saving teams from relegation and the TAFIC hopeful will be pinning their hopes on him. There have not been many changes from the squad that got promoted last season. This could hamper TAFIC's chances in the new season as they have lesser quality in their squad. Probable finish: 14th–16th
Township Rollers Coach: Innocent Morapedi and Oarabile Seabo Colours: Blue and yellow Home ground: Royal Aria Stadium Key signings: Thabo Rakhale (free transfer), Tshepo Matete (Chippa United, South Africa), Obonwe Maome (GU), Letlhogonolo Chenjela (Security Systems), Marcel Papama (Jwaneng Galaxy) Prospect: On paper, the Blues look like outright champions. There is a quality backup in every position. Looking to end their four seasons without silverware, Rollers appear on course, judging by their preseason. They have had a very successful pre-season that includes a 1-0 win over South African giants, Kaizer Chiefs. The arrival of Morapedi could have a huge impact as he did with GU two seasons back. Probable finish: 1st–2nd
VTM FC Coach: Leutlwetse Tshireletso Home ground: VTM Arena Key signings: Lemponye Tshireletso, Tlhalefo Molebatsi (both, Township Rollers), Neo Mokhachane (Bantu FC, Lesotho), Letsweletse Leririma (Police XI), Lesang Senne (Extension Gunners) Prospect: Not much is expected of VTM's debut season. They are expected to be thrown into the relegation battle from early on. Leutlwetse is in for a big season after spending some time as an assistant in the Premier League. Probable finish: 14th–16th