Nico in elite company
Mqondisi Dube | Friday November 14, 2025 09:13
Straight from a bruising battle against relegation last season, Majombolo have made a step-up and are now amongst the title contenders, although it is still early days in the Premiership battle.
Nico's ship has never been steady since the closure of the BCL Mine nearly a decade ago, but this season, there seems to be a change of fortunes.
After 11 games, Nico are just five points behind leaders, Gaborone United, who are on 25 points but have played two games less. The Selebi-Phikwe side has lost only once.
Nico kicked off their season with a 2-1 win over Extension Gunners before holding GU to a 1-1 draw, evidence of their newfound resolve.
In another test of character in week three of the season, Nico were unyielding as expensively assembled Mochudi Centre Chiefs failed to breach their defence in a goalless deadlock.
Sua Flamingoes, tipped to challenge for the title at the start of the season, also came unstuck against Nico, as Majombolo proved that they are up for it against giants this season.
Township Rollers became the fourth top side to fail to grab maximum points from Nico.
The side's only blemish was a narrow 2-1 defeat to former champions, Jwaneng Galaxy, in week 10 of the season before the team bounced back to beat an unpredictable Matebele 2-1 last week. The Premiership's top six is made up of formidable sides, GU, Galaxy, Flamingoes, Chiefs, and Rollers, with Nico enjoying rare elite company.
Their progress is particularly impressive given their struggles last season, where they doggedly fought relegation. Nico chairperson Busani Segweni said this season the time had sufficient time for pre-season and beefed up well.
Coach Reuben Njavera Chikoti said despite starting well, they are not yet there. 'It is a good direction that we are having. Our target is very simple, the top eight. It is us who made where we are, and it is us who can maintain it,' Chikoti.
He said their trip to South Africa's High Performance in Pretoria during last month's FIFA break served the club well. 'We are close to our targets, the boys are responding well. The boys are putting up their best and are enjoying it. The arrival of coach Vin (Vincent Kgaswane) has boasted the boys and I am happy we are working well, and with such understanding, we will reach greater heights. We will continue to work for the badge,' he further said.
This weekend, Majombolo travel to Francistown to face last season's surprise package, TAFIC in a match dubbed the 'family meeting.'
Last season, TAFIC started the match as favourites, but now Matjiminyenga are at the wrong end of the table after an off-season exodus.
Nico are the favourites to pick the three points or at least emerge unbeaten in Francistown as Chikoti's charges seek to keep pace with the leading pack.
However, the game of the weekend takes place at the GU Stadium where leaders GU face flamboyant Chiefs tonight. Free-scoring GU are expected to collect maximum points against a Chiefs side that is yet to strike consistency.
A full house is expected at the GU Stadium for the 7pm kick-off. Flamingoes are in Palapye for a tough encounter against Morupule Wanderers. Flamingoes have faltered of late, suffering home defeats to GU and BDF XI to put their title ambitions on the line.
Black Lions welcome Police XI at the Royal Aria Stadium, whilst newcomers, Calendar Stars, will be in Lobatse to face Extension Gunners at the Lobatse Sports Complex.
The other Saturday fixture will see Santa Green travel to Orapa for a date against the Ostriches.
On Sunday, GU Stadium hosts Matebele against Galaxy, whilst Rollers play BDF XI at the same venue in a double header.
The first game kicks off at 4pm, whilst Rollers and BDF XI are in action at 7pm.