Rain, rivalries and a worthy cause
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday June 23, 2026 08:31
Previous editions featured former national teams, with the first two tournaments held in Gaborone and the third edition staged in Francistown.
While supporters were treated to flashes of brilliance from players who once lit up stadia across the region, the event's deeper purpose remained supporting former footballers and those involved in the game through the Betway Clash of Legends Legacy Project.
This year's beneficiaries are Motheo Tshimo, More Mosimanyana, Odirile 'Javas' Gaolebale, Benson Mhlanga and Alfred Phiri, who were selected to receive assistance through the welfare initiative.
The project was established to provide support to former footballers and supporters facing challenges after retirement and livelihood, and has become one of the tournament's defining pillars.
On the field, Orlando Pirates Legends emerged as champions after a dominant campaign. The Buccaneers edged Kaizer Chiefs Legends 1-0 in the semifinal before defeating Mochudi Centre Chiefs Legends by 3-0 scoreline in the final to lift the trophy. Township Rollers Legends secured third place after beating Kaizer Chiefs Legends 4-2 in an entertaining playoff match.
However, beyond the scorelines, many of the former stars emphasised that the tournament was about preserving football's legacy and reconnecting with supporters.
Former Orlando Pirates captain, Lucky Lekgwathi who captained the Buccaneers during one of the club's most successful periods, praised organisers for creating a platform that continues to honour retired players.
'The tournament was good. Thank you to the organisers, especially the president, and for us and Kaizer Chiefs coming to Botswana. It's part of giving back and obviously to bring back the memories,' Lekgwathi said.
His sentiments were echoed by former Kaizer Chiefs and Zimbabwe midfield enforcer, Willard Katsande, who said the event was bigger than winning or losing.
'The tournament was good. We enjoyed ourselves. As much as we find ourselves on the losing side, we need to look at the bigger picture of the tournament. It is networking, uniting the legends and also thanks to the organisers who brought the legends of the game together,' he said.
'It's not like we just finished playing football and everybody forgets about us. We are just bringing back the old memories in football. Bottom line, it was good. We enjoyed ourselves.'
Katsande, who has transitioned into coaching following his retirement from professional football, added that he is enjoying life on the touchline despite the demands that come with the role.
'Coaching is tough. You are thinking of 11 positions at the same time. It is different to being a player where you only worry about your position as an individual. So far so good, I'm enjoying myself and I am using every day as a learning day,' Katsande said.
Former Orlando Pirates striker, Katlego Mashego, was amongst the standout performers during the tournament and demonstrated that his goalscoring instincts remain intact.
'One thing that you cannot stop doing is scoring goals. It will stop someday when I get old, but if I can still move, then the thinking is still there,' Mashego said.
The former Bafana Bafana international stated that football remains an important part of his life even after retirement.
'It is one thing that I did most of my life, so I can't stop now. It keeps me busy. It is not something that I am going to stop now. As long as I can still move, I can still play,' he said.
Mashego also offered advice to the current crop of strikers, 'You must be calm and take your chances. There is no need for you to rush because I always say when you're in the box, you are the boss.'