Kesitilwe rates season seven out of 10
Mqondisi Dube | Thursday June 12, 2025 09:08
The domestic league saw the return of a title sponsor, with FNB Botswana coming on board after the commercial bank inked a deal with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) last year February. The fruits of that deal were in full view as fans witnessed an exhilarating season, which culminated in Gaborone United being crowned champions in a tight contest. Kesitilwe was thrust into the hot seat at the beginning of the season, taking over from Nicholas Zakhem, and the new man is pleased with his first full season in charge. 'The 2024-2025 FNB Premiership season was a defining chapter for the Botswana football. As my first season as chairman, I can confidently rate it as a success- a seven out of 10. We set out to restore credibility, stability and excitement in our league, and we delivered,' Kesitilwe said.
'This season reignited passion among fans, improved governance structures and enhanced stakeholder confidence. Packed stadiums, increased media traction, and fair, competitive play became the new norm,' he added. Kesitilwe said it was refreshing to see young talent rise through the ranks through clubs' deliberate efforts to prioritise development. He defines the just-ended campaign as a season of transformation, which put football on the right trajectory. 'We introduced integrity-driven leadership at board level, disciplined financial oversight and transparency in our operations. It was not just a season of football, it was a season of transformation. For these reasons, I firmly believe we have laid the groundwork for a professional and self-sustaining league,' Kesitilwe said.
Despite a near seamless season, Kesitilwe said the poor financial position of some clubs remain a concern. 'The league's most pressing challenge was financial fragility. Several clubs operated without basic infrastructure or resources. Delayed player salaries and limited operational budgets strained the football ecosystem,' he said. Kesitilwe noted that there was scepticism from some quarters, particularly after the change of leadership. 'But through consistency, transparent governance and the full support of the board and shareholders, we rebuilt trust,' he noted, saying going forward, they want to grow their commercial footprint beyond traditional sponsors and to formalise the club licensing system to enhance professional standards. He said they aim to attract and retain talent through welfare support and better club administration as well as generate new revenue by leveraging digital media broadcast rights. 'We must modernise our league and elevate our standards to match regional and continental benchmarks,' he said.