Contrasting fortunes shape derby
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday January 23, 2026 10:29
The Royal Aria Stadium will be awash with blue and red on Saturday afternoon when Rollers lock horns with cross-town rivals, GU, in what remains one of the biggest rivalries in Botswana football.
The kick-off is set for 4pm, and the capital city will come to a standstill for 90 minutes. This time, however, the derby arrives with GU riding a championship-shaped wave, whilst Rollers navigate choppy waters both on and off the pitch.
GU sit comfortably at the summit of the FNB Premiership standings and have spent more time at the top than any other side this season.
Even at the halfway stage, the Reds already look like a team with title credentials. A gritty midweek 0-0 draw against second-placed Jwaneng Galaxy ensured they maintained their grip on first place and underlined their growing maturity.
Rollers, by contrast, are sixth and enduring a difficult spell. Off-field instability and financial challenges have spilt into performances, with results dipping sharply in their last five matches.
Yet, derbies have a habit of ignoring form, logic and league positions, and Popa will be banking on history and pride to spark a response.
Interestingly, the derby also doubles as a high-profile audition for two interim coaches seeking permanence in the hottest seats in local football. Rollers are led by youthful tactician Oarabile ‘Wilshere’ Seabo, a product of long service behind the scenes.
With more than five years as an assistant and understudy to several head coaches, Seabo has slowly built his credentials.
His rise gathered pace after Rollers parted ways with Srdan Zivojnov, with management throwing their weight behind him.
Seabo also brings international exposure, having served as second assistant coach for the Zebras at the recent Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco.
Across the technical divide is GU’s Khalid Niyonzima, a steadier, more seasoned figure. A long-serving goalkeeper coach at GU for over a decade, Niyonzima has worn multiple hats as interim and assistant coach.
His CV stretches beyond local borders, having worked with the Burundi national team, and since replacing Dimitar Pantev, he has overseen a calm, unbeaten run that has kept GU firmly on course for the title.
Ahead of the derby, Niyonzima was careful not to be distracted by Rollers’ off-field troubles.
“Rollers issues are there, but I cannot talk about that. We are a Premier League team in a Premier League fixture we are facing on Saturday.
“So we are looking at how we will become a winning team on Saturday. That is all we can say,” he said.
Despite a congested schedule that saw GU face Jwaneng Galaxy midweek, Niyonzima insisted there are no excuses in football.
On the other bench, Seabo struck a defiant tone, making it clear that Rollers’ problems away from the pitch will not be used as a shield.
“For us, there will never be a time when whatever happens outside would have an impact on the field of play,' he said.
'These boys know that every time they get into the field of play, whether it is training or in a game situation, they know that they have to give it their maximum. They know they have a duty to deliver to the masses of Rollers. So for us, whatever happens (off-field) we never ever want to bring it into the field of play.'
For both coaches, the derby is more than just another fixture; it is a statement opportunity. A win could strengthen their case for long-term appointments, whilst a loss could tilt opinion sharply in a game where patience is a rare commodity.
Elsewhere in the FNB Premiership this weekend, Orapa United host Santa Green at Lucara Stadium, whilst Jwaneng Galaxy travel north to face Calendar Stars at the Francistown City Council Stadium.
But all roads lead to the Royal Aria, where momentum meets tradition, pressure meets belief, and Gaborone once again chooses sides.