Road trips present toughest fixture in women’s league
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday January 23, 2026 10:02
The National Women’s League was officially launched on Friday at the Lekidi Football Centre and features regional champions alongside five runners-up who qualified through promotional playoffs.
A total of 10 teams are competing in each of the northern and southern Streams. The competition marks the return of a national women’s league structure, 10 years after the dissolution of the Super League in 2016.
Following that, regional leagues were introduced as the women’s game rebuilt itself from the grassroots.
A decade later, the national league is fully underway, with 17 of the 19 regional structures under the Botswana Football Association (BFA) represented in the competition.
“This inaugural league is a product of a strategy that we can have a national league that touches all corners of the country. For the league to have competitive balance and to make it more effective like the men's league,” said BFA chief operations officer, Kago Mosinyi, at Friday’s launch.
However, the first season will be contested without a title sponsor and will be fully funded by FIFA to the tune of over $300,000 (approximately P4 million).
Each of the 20 competing clubs will receive a seasonal grant of around P100,000, with the remaining funds directed towards operational costs.
“The funds are going to be used firstly to enable the teams to participate in the league. Teams are going to be given grants, equipment and of course the refereeing aspect.
“To get the referees throughout the nation and the league, it is quite a costly exercise,” Mosinyi said.
While the grants provide a financial cushion, a first for the women’s game, travelling is emerging as the biggest challenge.
In the regional leagues, many teams rarely travelled more than 50km for away fixtures. This season, some clubs will face journeys exceeding 500km.
Former Mares head coach and current Jwaneng Galaxy Ladies mentor, Gaolethoo ‘Ronaldo’ Nkutlwisang, believes early departure for games and proper preparation will be key.
“I think in terms of planning, as the women's team and management of Galaxy, we would have to see when we depart (for away games). If the game is on Sunday, we would have to leave on Friday and spend a night there before the match day,” said Nkutlwisang.
“We will need to train there, adapt to the surroundings, the weather and the pitch itself. Some of the pitches have rocks or sand, and it would be something that we are not used to, so it's something that we will look at with the management.”
On the field, Zodiac Collabo Girls set the early pace in the southern stream with a 13-0 demolition of Ghanzi Swallows, whilst Granada FC top the Northern Stream standings after an identical 13-0 victory over Tornado FC.
This Saturday, Double Action host Western Zebras at Ledumang Primary Grounds, while El Ports FC welcome Royal Fighters at Lokgwabe Grounds.
Makgabz City face a long trip to the capital to take on champions Gaborone United, whilst Galaxy are away to Swallows at the Kgaphamadi Grounds. On Sunday, Zodiac and BDF XI meet at Lobatse Sports Complex to conclude the southern stream fixtures.
In the northern stream, Tornado clash with Francistown United at Panda United Grounds, while Tawana Top Girls face Granada FC in a mouth-watering encounter at the DH Moore Grounds.
Orapa United host Mafia Vision at Itekeng Stadium, as Western Dynamites take on Nico United at Andrew Willow Primary Grounds.
Sunday’s fixtures conclude with Tsabotlhe against Eyes On The Ball FC at Newton Primary Grounds. All matches kick off at 4pm.