GU Stadium bears the brunt of venue shortages
Mqondisi Dube | Friday March 13, 2026 08:49
With the National Stadium closed for renovations, the Lobatse Sports Complex used sparingly and the Molepolole Sports Complex slowly turning into a white elephant, the GU Stadium has been left to bear the brunt. On average, the venue hosts three games per weekend as teams, even from the First Division, take turns to utilise the facility, which has a capacity of under 5,000.
Acting Botswana Football League (BFL) CEO, Idah Moinisi, acknowledged the venue challenges, which has forced teams to turn to the GU Stadium.
Some high-profile matches have been played at the GU Stadium despite its limited capacity.
'The BFL fully appreciates the concerns that arise when high-profile Category A matches are hosted at smaller venues. Ideally, fixtures of this magnitude would be staged at larger facilities with higher spectator capacity. 'However, due to the unavailability of the National Stadium, the league has had to make practical arrangements to ensure that competition proceeds without disruption,' Moinisi said.
Last weekend, the GU Stadium hosted the Gaborone derby featuring GU and Township Rollers, and the match passed without incident.
This weekend, the venue will see Rollers and Mochudi Centre Chiefs battle it out as the stadium becomes a central part of this season's fixtures.
Moinisi added that other than the unavailability of larger facilities, teams are operating under constrained financial environments.
'Hosting matches at larger alternative venues often involves stadium hire costs, as well as increased operational expenses, including travel and logistical costs for teams and officials. These factors must be carefully balanced to ensure that the league remains financially sustainable while still delivering competitive fixtures,' she said.
'Our position is that the league must continue, and where alternative venues are used, strict safety and operational measures are put in place. In this regard, the BFL works closely with BFA, BFL and club security officers, as well as stadium management, to conduct risk assessments ahead of such fixtures. These assessments guide us on appropriate crowd management strategies, access control, and other safety protocols to ensure that matches are delivered in a safe and orderly environment,' Moinisi added.
She said the BFL is also mindful of the risks associated with overcrowding. As part of mitigation measures, she said clubs hosting high-profile matches are encouraged to manage ticketing responsibly, including limiting allocations and, in some cases, adjusting ticket prices to control attendance levels within the approved stadium capacity.
'Ultimately, spectator safety remains the BFL’s top priority. Whilst we acknowledge that smaller venues are not ideal for Category A fixtures, the league, together with relevant stakeholders, is committed to implementing all necessary safety and security measures to ensure that supporters can enjoy the matches in a controlled and safe environment until larger venues become available again,' Moinisi said.
GU director, Nicholas Zakhem, said there is a crew dedicated to maintaining the facility to ensure it remains in top condition despite the congested schedule.
'The facility was built to cater for Gaborone United to train and, from time to time, to host games when other options are not available. However, due to the closure of the National Stadium and higher prices for other facilities, teams started approaching us. Our ground has good and sound flood lighting,' he said.
'It was never our intention to host big games; unfortunately, the absence of alternatives, GU Stadium took centre stage to assist in finishing the league last season, and it seems the same is prevailing (this season).'
Zakhem highlighted that it was awkward that clubs that do not have their own facilities criticise the capacity inadequacy of the GU Stadium.