National Stadium braces for FA Cup semis warfare
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday May 15, 2026 10:53
The two games were initially scheduled for the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown but were later moved to the capital. The final four will battle it out in a double header at the National Stadium, with local football's modern powerhouses and traditional giants now standing between each other and the final.
The headline clash pits league champions Gaborone United (GU) against defending champions Jwaneng Galaxy in what already feels like a final before the final.
GU arrive in the final four clashes chasing a historic domestic double after already wrapping up the league championship.
Their dramatic penalty shootout victory over bitter rivals Township Rollers in the quarterfinals only strengthened the belief that this could become one of the club’s most successful modern campaigns.
At the centre of that ambition stands coach Sean Connor, who now finds himself on the verge of another major cup achievement after guiding Galaxy to Orange FA Cup glory last season before crossing over to GU. Yet Connor insists the job is far from complete.
“Keeping these boys grounded is easy because we didn’t play the way we wanted to play,” Connor said after the quarterfinal victory.
For Connor, surviving difficult moments has become just as important as entertaining performances. The veteran tactician admitted his side showed resilience and character under pressure, eventually finding a way through as elimination looked dangerously close.
“At that stage, we just looked for desire from the team to get something out of the game,” he said.
Now GU stand two matches away from completing a domestic double, an achievement that would further cement Connor’s reputation as one of the most effective cup coaches in Botswana football.
He is the reigning national cup champion after lifting the FA Cup with Galaxy the previous season, as he looks to win back-to-back titles.
Standing directly in their path is the team Connor helped turn into cup specialists. Galaxy remain the dominant force of the modern Orange FA Cup era and are now chasing a remarkable third consecutive title.
The champions were pushed all the way by a fearless lower-division side, Jwaneng Young Stars, in the quarterfinals before escaping through penalties after a tense goalless draw.
It was not a vintage Galaxy performance, but experienced cup sides rarely apologise for surviving knockout football. That semi-final now carries enormous weight. GU are chasing complete domestic dominance, whilst Galaxy are hunting to retain their title.
The other semifinal throws together two clubs equally desperate to end long waits for silverware. Mochudi Centre Chiefs kept alive hopes of ending an 11-year trophy drought after edging Black Lions 5-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the quarterfinals. The FA Cup triumph is a target for head coach Miguel Corral Torreira, and the Spanish gaffer is only 180 minutes away from the ask.
Standing in their way are Orapa United, quietly the most composed side left in the competition. Whilst the other quarterfinals descended into penalty drama, Orapa handled business professionally, beating giant-killers Lokgwabe United 1-0 inside regulation time. That calmness could prove crucial now that the pressure has intensified.
Orapa know this stage well after several deep cup runs in recent years, while Chiefs arrive carrying the expectations of a fanbase desperate to finally celebrate silverware again. The Ostriches are in their fourth FA Cup semis and will be looking to get more step in to the final.
Chiefs and Orapa will begin the double header at 3:30pm, whilst GU and Galaxy will clash in a later kick off at 7pm.