Plans for 12-team league fade
Mqondisi Dube | Friday August 1, 2025 06:00
The then board, led by Nicholas Zakhem, had implemented a standing resolution that sought to reduce top flight teams by two in order to manage meagre resources and improve competition.
In 2023, then BFL CEO, Senzo Mbatha indicated that the league will initiate a gradual reduction of the teams, which would have seen the number down to 12 at the end of the 2025-2026 season.
At the time, Mbatha said the BFL was implementing a long-standing resolution to better manage both the human and financial resources.
However, the move sparked rebellion amongst clubs, leading to the infamous December 16, 2023 Palapye meeting where a plan to oust Zakhem was hatched.
However, the move back-fired as Zakhem took the matter to court and emerged victorious.
At the end of the day, there was a climb down on the decision to slash teams, and talk has since subsided, with no indication the idea will be revived.
Over the weekend, BDF XI chairperson, Nelson Gabofiwe revived the subject when he addressed his club's elective annual general meeting on Saturday.
'There were attempts to reduce teams from 16 to 12. Yes, it is there in the documents that teams should be reduced to 12 but because we are very dear to this country, we are loyal to this country, we are very patriotic to this country, we withstood this and we said our aspirations are the aspirations of Batswana,' Gabofiwe said.
'We want to build a mass base for the national teams and we cannot afford to have other teams dismantled.'
He said already some institutional teams like TASC, Mogoditshane Fighters, and Continental Aces have been disbanded. He said it had a ripple effect as other sports like netball and volleyball were affected.
Gabofiwe said Zakhem's then leadership wanted teams reduced, but they resisted the move when some clubs met in Palapye. The then BFL leadership argued that it was merely implementing a long-standing regulation.
'We saw suspensions and expulsions, and some teams given points and we were asking ourselves where did the points come from. It was a red flag in our football,' he said.
Gabofiwe said when he assumed the seat at BDF XI the club only had P25,000 and was technically insolvent.
'The only source of finance was Botswana Defence Force and the BDF was in a dire financial situation but we had to maintain the competitive nature. We persevered because we risked points deduction and expulsion from the league,' he said.
Gabofiwe was retained as chairperson, whilst Jones Kwape returned as the new team manager, with new faces dominating the new committee.
Meanwhile, the 16 FNB Premiership teams are keeping their fingers crossed as the First Instance Body (FIB) is processing Club Licences for next season.
Gaborone United and Jwaneng Galaxy, who will participate in the CAF Champions League and Confederations Cup respectively, have been given the all-clear.