Showdown looms as BFL meets
Mqondisi Dube | Friday July 10, 2026 10:25
The stage has been set for a no-holds-barred confrontation, with some shareholders pushing for the ouster of BFL chairperson Sipho Showa. The incumbent was voted into office last year, and an aggrieved group wants a resolution to rotate directors implemented. The group also seeks to increase the number of FNB Premiership teams from 16 to 18. Anti-Showa campaign flyers have been distributed ahead of the showdown, with the BFL chairperson indicating he was ready to tackle the situation. It is a scene reminiscent of last year's AGM in Palapye where knives were out for then-chief executive, Bennett Mamelodi. Whilst Mamelodi survived on the day, he and chairperson Peter Kesitilwe resigned within hours of the meeting. Showa was then elevated to the top post on an interim basis, before he was officially voted in last August.
However, his reign has not been without the usual football drama as he now faces a fight for his life. 'The knives have been sharpened, and we expect an explosive meeting. Some shareholders who believe they have the numbers want Showa out, accusing him of not doing enough for the game. Additionally, the shareholders are against a motion to increase teams from 16 to 18, citing the already stretched resources,' a source close to developments said. 'Showa is confident of fighting back and is also preparing for a bare-knuckled fight. We will see who will emerge on top on Saturday,' the official added. Amidst the rising discontent, Showa told MmegiSport that he was ready to face the shareholders' challenge at the meeting. “An official meeting has been called, with a detailed agenda for BFL shareholders to be updated on the good work the board and the Secretariat have been doing in the past few months, especially since I became chairman on August 15, 2025. Part of the work includes restoring the confidence of sponsors in the League, which this small group of chaps repeatedly undermines through their baseless and faceless campaigns,” he said last week. “They seem to be unhappy that the board is neutral and they can’t have their way,' Showa added.
Amongst their complaints, the shareholders indicate in the circulating flyer that the game has not received 'meaningful sponsorship' under Showa, whilst there has been poor governance. They also indicated the issue of referees' outstanding payments, and that the BFL was in the red, reportedly P3 million in deficit. They also questioned the lack of progress in substantive appointments for key positions, presumably the BFL chief executive officer's post, which has remained vacant since the departure. The post has not been filled since Billy Sekgororoane's departure in December.