Transfer ban bites as Rollers seek Sebata intervention over Karkache debt
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday January 20, 2026 10:55
The embargo, which bars Popa from registering new players, comes at a time when the club is already under severe financial strain.
The Moroccan tactician was appointed during Sebata’s short-lived stint as a key financier at the club, a period that lasted just under a year.
Karkache’s tenure at Rollers was cut short, after which he approached FIFA over unpaid contractual obligations.
SportMonitor has been informed that the debt is in the region of P150,000. As a result, Rollers have been barred from registering players for three consecutive transfer windows, starting with the current (January 2026) window.
This publication has further learnt that Karkache’s contract was concluded under Sebata Holdings through Township Rollers, prompting some members of the club’s leadership to believe the responsibility for settling the debt may rest with the former investor.
Initial attempts to engage Sebata reportedly yielded no success, but the club is now preparing to renew talks as the full impact of the transfer ban begins to bite.
Addressing a press conference on Monday, newly co-opted Rollers chairperson, Thapelo ‘Fish’ Pabalinga confirmed that the club remains under a FIFA ban and that discussions with Sebata are imminent.
“(Our activity in) the transfer window is one of the challenges we find the team facing. Like I said, we need to be honest especially when we are in a time of need, and seeking assistance. We do have a ban that disables us from signing players,” he said.
“We have been reported to FIFA because of an existing debt. We have to find out how the debt came about and whether it should be rightfully be settled by Township Rollers as an organisation or it should it be settled by the those who were investors at the time.”
Pabalinga said the engagement with Sebata is expected to take place this week, with the club’s membership to be updated on any progress.
“We need to sit down as an executive and come back to the membership. Currently as we speak that ban is still in place.
“We are hoping that engagement regarding it will take place this week and we will see how it goes,” he said.
The press briefing marked Pabalinga’s first formal engagement with the media since replacing Nelson ‘Shakes’ Onkabetse as chairperson.
He assumes the role at a time when Rollers are facing what has been described as their worst cash crunch in recent history. Responding to questions from SportMonitor, Pabalinga said the club would need to reassess its business model.
He noted that the membership historically held a 20% stake in the club, with the remaining 80% reserved for the chief financier.
The chairperson stated that Rollers must adopt a model that is sustainable both in the present and the future, adding that an audit report will be commissioned as part of efforts to improve financial transparency and discipline.
While the club remains without a principal investor, the new leadership has announced partnerships with DC Tours as a transport provider, Emergency Assist as a medical sponsor, while Umbro returns as the club’s technical sponsor.
Rollers also confirmed that new home, away and alternative kits will be released within the next three to four weeks.