GU fans where were you?

Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday May 26, 2026 09:54

Yet the turnout during the title celebrations appeared underwhelming compared to the magnitude of the achievement. The question many asked was simple: where were the fans? Title sponsor, First National Bank Botswana had come to the party in a massive way; turning the compact Gaborone United Stadium into a football carnival.

But one crucial piece of the jigsaw puzzle was missing; the fans. There was nothing like a last minute rush, as people made their way without a hassle even seconds before kick-off.

It might sound like a seamless experience, but for a coronation match, this is hardly ideal. Gates should be closed an hour before kick-off particularly considering that the GU Stadium is a relatively small venue that takes less than 5,000.

But despite the sitting capacity, empty seats remained throughout the final match of the season, which should have been the icing on the cake.

It was not the best advert for local football despite the effort of the sponsors, and also the amount of investment that director, Nicholas Zakhem has put on the team.

FNB has made the Premiership fashionable again, pumping in P28.5 million over three seasons. This was a huge relief given the league had gone sponsor-less in the previous seasons. Life is back and competition on the field tells all. Now that competition should be reciprocated on the stands.

There are reasons why fans have not turned out in large numbers. One of the issues is the changing culture of football consumption.

Botswana football fans, like many across the continent, increasingly follow European leagues more passionately than local football.

A GU supporter may celebrate the title passionately on social media while still choosing to watch an English Premier League match at home instead of attending a local game.

Economic realities also cannot be ignored. Botswana, like many countries, is facing pressure from the rising cost of living. For ordinary supporters, matchday expenses can become difficult to justify, especially for a coronation match where the title has already been secured.

Many fans may feel there is little competitive tension left once the championship is mathematically confirmed. But that should not be the culture. The fan culture that we saw during the Debswana World Relays should be the one that defines Botswana sport across the board.

GU fans, should therefore stand guilty of failing to fill the GU Stadium during the team's graduation day. This was one way of showing their appreciation to the efforts of the sponsors and investor, Zakhem.