Sapolamokwatla: Where BDF XI built a title
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday March 23, 2026 06:00
That is the energy currently radiating from Sapolamokwatla Grounds in the SSKB, a name that fittingly translates to “the backbone”. And right now, it is carrying BDF XI’s title ambitions on its shoulders.
In the men’s game, the blueprint is well documented. Jwaneng Galaxy turned their home ground into a gold mine during their dominant run aiding to the last two of their three league titles.
Orapa United leaned on Itekeng Stadium to punch above their weight in cup competitions. Gaborone United’s (GU) recent charge has been underpinned by a formidable record at GU Stadium as they gun for their second consecutive title.
Home, in traditional football terms, is never just home, but it is an advantage, a weapon, sometimes even a psychological trap. Now, the local women’s game has found its own version of that story.
As the inaugural BH National Women’s League season reaches its halfway stage, the expected script is being quietly torn apart in the South Stream. Whilst Orapa United’s control up north has gone largely to plan, the south has delivered a surprise package.
BDF XI, and not the star-studded Gaborone United, or the experienced Double Action, are setting the pace.
Tucked behind the junior’s mess within the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB), the ground is one of the oldest football fields in the barracks’ nearly 50-year history.
At the halfway mark, BDF XI remain the only unbeaten side in the South Stream. Their defensive record borders on stubborn, conceding just once in nine games.
Whilst their attacking numbers may not rival Gaborone United’s eye-watering tally of over 100 goals, BDF XI have found a rhythm that is efficient, controlled, and decisive, averaging three goals per match without the need for chaos.
But numbers only tell half the story because Sapolamokwatla does something numbers cannot measure. It applies pressure. In a league still building its spectator culture, BDF XI enjoy something rare: a genuine home crowd.
The stands and touchlines come alive with soldiers, families, and football enthusiasts who do not just watch but engage. Every tackle is cheered, every mistake amplified. It is a space where visiting teams are tested not only physically, but mentally, and some have already cracked.
GU, who had gone over three seasons without defeat in league matches, saw their aura shattered at Sapolamokwatla this season. Double Action, another heavyweight, also suffered their first loss of the campaign on the same ground.
That is not luck but a fortress taking shape. Head coach, Steve Ketshabile, is fully aware of the edge his team is cultivating.
“I am always happy to see this kind of support because it motivates both myself and the players,” he said.
“I welcome the cheers and the jeers because they help improve mental toughness. Our intention is to win this league and compete internationally. Playing in front of such crowds prepares us for bigger stages.”
It is a revealing admission, and this is not just about winning locally. There is a deliberate attempt to condition the team for the pressures of continental football, particularly the CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers.
And the planning runs deeper than matchdays. Faced with limited resources, the club has taken a structured approach by recruiting talent into the Botswana Defence Force, ensuring stability within the squad.
The result is a disciplined, cohesive unit of players who operate with a shared identity and purpose. Add the influence of Mares' fringe players such as Precious Tlhapi and Pearl Sikwane, and BDF XI have quietly assembled a side that blends structure with experience.
Of course, the title race is far from settled as GU and Galaxy have games in hand, whilst Double Action remain within striking distance.
On paper, the gap can still be closed. But football is not played on paper. It is played in places like Sapolamokwatla, where the noise lingers, the pressure builds, and the backbone does not break.