Rollers finally face the music
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday November 10, 2025 06:03
The Blues’ technical team dutifully turned up at the GU Stadium, but the players downed tools, refusing to play over unpaid salaries, leaving their opponents stranded after a more than 400km trip to the south.
The abandoned tie sparked outrage across the football community, with many questioning how such a storied club found itself embroiled in such chaos.
BFL CEO, Billy Sekgororoane, has revealed that whilst the matter had initially stalled, it will now move forward following key appointments within the league’s disciplinary structures.
He said the initial proceedings have been concluded, charges have been laid against Rollers, and the BFL’s Disciplinary Committee (DC) will now finally convene to hear the case.
The process had been delayed by the resignation of both the DC chairperson and deputy earlier this year, but a new chair has now been appointed, clearing the way for proceedings to resume.
“Yes, the issue has been delayed, and we are playing open cards. Unfortunately, the DC has got to have a chairperson for it to be properly convened. But the chairperson of the DC had resigned for whatever reasons. The deputy of the DC has also resigned because he had acted on a matter for the Botswana Football League against a particular organisation,” said Sekgororoane.
“So, the board had to appoint a new chairperson of the DC, which was done last week, and the DC will now convene to hear the Rollers issue next week,” he added.
The case has been sitting on the BFL desk and gathering dust for over a month, but Sekgororoane has made it clear that his administration wants to turn the page on drawn-out disciplinary processes.
“Justice has got to be swiftly handled. Those matters should not take months; they should probably take a week or two weeks, and we should not go for so long,” he said.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Sekgororoane announced a fresh broadcast deal between the BFL and the Department of Broadcasting Services (DBS).
The three-year agreement is worth P16 million, a notable dip from the previous P25 million deal signed in 2022, but the CEO described it as a 'non-exclusive' partnership, leaving the door open for additional broadcast partners.
Under the new arrangement, the BFL will pocket P5 million this season and next, before receiving P6 million in the final year.
Whilst the league had hoped to televise up to 60 Premiership matches per season, Sekgororoane admitted that logistical setbacks could make that target hard to achieve this year.
“The deal is to broadcast up to 60 games per season, and whilst we would want to cover the 60 games, it may be difficult to do so this season, simply because we started late,” he said.
Sekgororoane also revealed plans to inject fresh excitement into local football with the introduction of a league cup and a charity cup competition. Talks are already underway with potential sponsors, and fans could see a new tournament format next season, possibly a Top Four, Top Eight, or even a Top 16 knockout.