Off the field challenges shadow Popa’s bright start
Mqondisi Dube | Friday September 26, 2025 08:29
The Gaborone side has defied odds on the pitch and sits at the summit of the elite league, six games into the season. But the troubles that have dogged the blue side since their acrimonious separation from businessman Jagdish Shah in 2023.
Despite their mass appeal, Rollers have struggled to find stability, seeing two investors come and go in a short time.
Jimmy Kereng lasted less than a season, and so did Tendani Sebata as Rollers search for durable financial solutions.
This week, the club admitted to challenges, some of which have been carried over from their previous relationship with Sebata.
Sebata has since formed a new club, Black Lions, which acquired the status of VTM and are competing in the FNB Premiership.
A statement from the club released Wednesday acknowledges the challenges which Popa face.
'It is with sincere regret that we acknowledge the current setbacks in our effort to uphold the well-being and support to our players and dedicated staff members. We acknowledge that the team is operating under severe financial challenges, which have adversely affected the well-being of the team,' the statement reads.
The club said some debts are from the previous seasons, 'when the committee was not actively running the club'.
Further, the committee said the situation was compounded by unfulfilled contractual obligations with a management company, CAB Management, which was due to take over the operations of the team on June 1, 2025.
'This has meant that the team is run by the society with just revenue from match days and merchandise sales, whilst the operational costs continue to skyrocket. The match day and merchandise (revenue) are inadequate to cover the team's operational costs, including player wages, hence the current situation,' the committee revealed, through the statement.
As a result, Rollers have terminated their contract with CAB Management, and this was communicated to the club's members at the annual general meeting last Saturday.
'We recognise that our team's morale and welfare are paramount and we are deeply disappointed that the external circumstances have hindered our ability to meet the essential commitments to our key stakeholders, being the players and staff, and by extension the supporters,' the committee said.
The executive added that there are alternative solutions being pursued to ensure the team's needs are prioritised.
'We are confident that our quest to secure a new investor is going well and will be closed soon.'
Whilst the boardroom struggles persist, Rollers have shown their undying commitment on the pitch to remain unbeaten in six matches with four wins and a draw.
They were due to play Calendar Stars in a league match Thursday