A title race like no other but will BFL take advantage?

Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday April 9, 2025 06:00

With seven games before curtains fall on the 2024-2025 season, four teams are tied to each other like glue. It is proving very difficult to separate grain from chaff as the season hits the home straight. By this time of the season, fans would have the clearest indication of where the title will be headed, in usually a two-horse race. But this season, teams have come to the party and it is not just two, or even three, but four teams, not only in the race, but tied on 45 points. There is still 21 points to play for from each of the title chasing teams as fans are kept on the edge of their seats

. The domestic contest has seen close title races but usually involving the traditional giants, Gaborone United, Mochudi Centre Chiefs or Township Rollers and lately, Jwaneng Galaxy. But this season there is a different feel with the entry of TAFIC, a team that has excited the neutrals. The guess is that if you ask any fan other than of the three teams, they are in unison that TAFIC, for some reason, deserve to be crowned champions. They have gone toe-to-toe with cash rich rivals, emerging literally from nowhere to shake the established order. TAFIC has previously struggled, making frequent trips between the premier and lower division. But in a flash, all that has turned around and 'Kasongo' has stuck with the leading pack from the early days of the season. Many expected a fall off, but under the unheralded Elias Chinyemba, TAFIC has been a breath of fresh air, and whatever happens between now and the end of the season, they are my team of the year, with Chinyemba deserving the coach of the year gong. While the four teams are in contention, the likes of Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Sua Flamingoes are still in with an outside chance, with further adds to the intrigue. Generally, the season has been of better quality on the pitch and the crowds have been good.

However, regular irritants still hover with eyes on match officiating and hosting big games in relatively smaller stadia. With the title race going to the wire, it begs the question, is the Botswana Football League ready to cash in on such excitement? There were complaints of a game that was 'dying' due to lack of sponsors in the previous seasons, but the arrival of FNB Botswana has rejuvenated the scene. There is no proven link that the entry of FNB has been the game changer, but there are certain aspects that point to a game on the rise after the commercial bank splashed P28.5million over three seasons. Players now have every reason to leave their all on the pitch knowing pretty well their sweat will be rewarded. The P1.4million prize money for the champions is arguably not a par sum, but something considering the teams were playing for nothing previously. Now the gauntlet has been thrown firmly at authorities at the BFL, who should leverage on what has been a thrilling campaign to bring more fans, and more corporate partners to the game. Football should only grow from here, and the strength of the league is the strength of the national teams.