Police, BDF in softball qualifiers shootout
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday February 20, 2026 13:14
The match kicks off at 8pm. The fight will be for a slot in the National Softball Tournament (NEST) qualifier. The two sides normally give softball fans value for their money due to the intense rivalry that exists.
The Cops go into the match with a bone to chew against their army counterparts, but it will not be an easy evening for the boys in maroon.
BDF IX will travel from Sir Seretse Khama Barracks with one thing in mind: to dismantle their opponents and book an Easter holiday date in the NEST.
Police IX coach, Kgaola Motsumi, told MmegiSport that all they want is a win and to retain their pride. “Preparations went according to plan, and we are ready for battle. Although we have been hit by a few injuries, we will put our bodies on the line for this one. Imagine The NEST finals without Police, we cannot allow that, and we will not allow that to happen. It is a promise, and we are sticking to it,” he said. Motsumi revealed that they have not signed any player during the current transfer window, but will introduce a few who joined in the previous transfer period.
For his part BDF IX coach, Tebogo Makacana, said they are looking forward to the big game tonight, and he expects many softball lovers to attend.
When asked about the approach, Makacana explained that he would not disclose the approach, especially the tactics at the moment, but they are going into the game ready to fight and give the fans a good match.
The Nest softball tournament organiser, Pako Maforaga, outlined that the South Zone is hosting men’s qualifiers, whilst the North Zone has both the men's and women's qualifiers.
He noted the idea behind the tournament is to support the Botswana Softball Association (BSA) leadership's call to bring life and activity back to softball.
“That responsibility cannot be placed squarely on the National Executive Committee only, and one or two other parties,” Maforaga said.
“The founder of The NEST tournament is Petrus Sebina; he put together a Local Organising Committee (LOC) chaired by Masego Kwape. The clubs are excited about the idea of another event coming up. Softball clubs will always embrace the opportunity to play. Easter tournament has been off the calendar of events for some time now, hence this high anticipation.” According to the organiser, the tournament has sponsors who will be announced on March 3, where everything will be revealed, including the prize money.
Maforaga added the North Zone women will, for the first time in a while, send an equal number of participants to the finals and stiff competition is expected.
For their male counterparts, no one team has been dominant in the north, so it is anyone’s game. In the south, there are some scores to settle from the December softball spectacular.
South Zone: Bracket One: Wells, Bears, Vikings, and Gatalamotho Bracket Two: BDF, UB, Panthers, and Police North Zone: Men: Carats, Rebels, Sua Raiders, Ghetto Yankees, Scramblers, Diphofu, Comets, Rail Giants, and Raptures Women: Carats, Raiders, Yankees, Scramblers, Diphofu, Comets, Giants, and Raptures