Premiership’s defining moment
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday May 16, 2025 08:23
It has been an exciting campaign and the tension continues tomorrow. The 2024–2025 league season has been the most contested in recent years with no clear winners and confirmed relegation candidates until the last two rounds of the campaign. Gaborone United (GU) could wrap up the championship over the weekend as they take on Jwaneng Galaxy at home at the Gaborone United Stadium. The Reds enjoy a two-point lead ahead of their weekend’s rivals and would be warming their hands to be the first team to lift the FNB Premiership trophy. The team boosts a 13-game win streak in the league at home at the GU Stadium. The Reds are the most in-form team in the last five games as the race reaches its climax. Despite a slight hobble, GU are finishing on a high note as they registered five wins in their last five games.
The team managed to keep four clean sheets in the run-in as they only conceded once while they found the back of the net on 12 occasions. The Reds faithful would be confident over the weekend as a 10th league title beckons. But they will have to do it against, the champions Galaxy who are in the running for their third title on the trot. It could be GU best shot to clinch the title over the weekend as they face their cross-town rivals, Township Rollers on the last day. Dimitar Pantev, GU’s head coach is well aware of their advantage as he said his side will need to win the remaining games. “We are looking to win all the six points in our last two games. Our focus is on our matches and everything is in our hands,” Pantev told journalists after the midweek 3-0 win over Matebele FC. Galaxy 0-0 draw against Township Rollers on Wednesday did not do the mining town side any favours. They now face the pressure of winning at all costs against GU tomorrow. Against one of the best defences in the league, the Galaxy marksmen would have to be at their sharpest on the afternoon. Another team that is still in the title race, TAFIC would be following proceedings with interest as they take on Extension Gunners. TAFIC has fallen off slightly in the race following their midweek draw to Morupule Wanderers. The team will need Galaxy's favour in order to remaining in contention and set-up a grand finale.
Whilst there is excitement at the top, Security Systems faces the reality of the drop to the second tier. The Alarm Boys need a win over the weekend as they take on relegated Chadibe FC at home. BDF XI has moved to a safer zone after a 4-0 win over Gunners in midweek, leaving Systems in the drop zone whilst Nico United is not safe yet. Nico need to avoid defeat against BDF XI at home this weekend to condemn Systems to the First Division. Systems are however not entirely out of the survival contest as they face another relegated side, Flamengo Santos on the final day. It is however a demanding task as they need to win with huge margins in the two games and hope Nico remain winless until the conclusion of the season.
Permutations
For GU to win the league -beat Jwaneng Galaxy on Saturday -draw against Galaxy and beat Rollers on the final day -draw against Galaxy & Rollers and maintain a superior goal difference
For Galaxy to win the league -win their remaining two games against GU and VTM FC -draw against GU then beat VTM FC with a higher margin -needs GU to drop points against Rollers on the final day
For TAFIC to win the league -win their two remaining games against Gunners and Nico -need GU and Jwaneng Galaxy to drop points in their remaining games -need to win both games with big margins to boost goal difference in the event of a points tie.
Relegation Survival For Systems to survive -need a win against Chadibe -need Nico or BDF to lose