Rollers on the ropes as GU smell derby blood
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday March 6, 2026 12:09
The last time the two rivals met was barely six weeks ago, on January 24, when GU ran out convincing 3-1 winners at the Royal Aria Stadium. That result was not an anomaly, but it was part of a pattern.
GU have dominated the last five Gaborone Derby encounters, winning four and drawing one. Rollers’ last victory in the fixture dates back to December 2023, when they edged a 2-1 result.
Since then, the Reds have seized control of the rivalry. A 2-0 win in April 2024 was followed by a 1-1 draw in October of the same year before GU claimed another 2-0 victory in May 2025. They repeated the score line again in August and most recently delivered the 3-1 triumph in January.
In those five games, GU have scored 12 goals, averaging just over two goals per match. Rollers, by contrast, have managed only three. That statistical gap tells a story, and one of a derby that has slowly drifted towards one-way traffic.
Rollers’ derby struggles mirror their broader campaign. The once-dominant Blues are enduring a frustrating season, managing just two wins in their last five league matches alongside a draw and two defeats. They currently sit at the bottom of the top half of the table, and another defeat could see Matebele FC leapfrog them and push them into the bottom half.
For a club accustomed to setting the pace in Botswana football, that is unfamiliar territory. GU, on the other hand, arrive with momentum and purpose.
The Reds are chasing what would be a second consecutive league title, and with nine games remaining, the margin for error is slim. They lead closest challengers Jwaneng Galaxy, by just three points, meaning every fixture now carries the weight of a final.
Dropping points against their fiercest rivals is the last thing GU want as they attempt to keep Galaxy at arm’s length.
There is also renewed energy within the camp following the arrival of new head coach Sean Connor. Under his guidance, GU have started strongly, keeping two clean sheets in two matches whilst scoring three goals. Those early signs will do little to calm Rollers supporters ahead of Saturday’s showdown.
Whilst the form book points heavily toward the Reds, the derby rarely follows logic. Pride, history and emotion often rewrite the script when the two giants collide.
Adding further intrigue is that the price of tickets for the match is selling at P70, the highest price for a local league fixture this season. Despite the eyebrow-raising cost, demand remains high, and the compact GU Stadium is expected to fill up quickly.
With the venue’s limited capacity, early arrivals have been strongly advised to avoid chaotic scenes at the gates. The derby has always attracted massive crowds, and with GU chasing the title and Rollers desperate to restore pride, a fan stampede cannot be ruled out if supporters arrive late, hoping to squeeze in.
Elsewhere in the league, the title race continues to simmer. Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Jwaneng Galaxy clash this evening in another high-stakes encounter at the GU Stadium at 7pm.
Tomorrow’s fixtures see relegation-threatened Calendar Stars host Sua Flamingoes at the Francistown City Council Stadium. BDF XI meet Santa Green at the VTM Arena whilst Orapa United take on Black Lions at the Lucara Stadium.
Extension Gunners will look to revive their campaign when they welcome Matebele FC at the Lobatse Sports Complex. On Sunday, TAFIC and Morupule Wanderers complete the weekend program in Francistown. All the matches kick off at 4pm.