GM Soccer Fiesta sets stage for new season
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday July 31, 2026 10:19
The three-day tournament that begins today and runs until Sunday provides clubs a crucial platform to fine-tune preparations ahead of the 2026-2027 season. Speaking during a media conference this week, organising committee vice chairperson Njabulo Gilika noted that the competition has remained true to its purpose of helping clubs prepare for the new campaign whilst maintaining the tradition of inviting regional opposition. 'We have ensured that we keep this tournament, from the beginning, where there is always participation from a club outside the country,' he said. 'This is based on a pre-season. We are trying to help our teams prepare themselves for the upcoming season.
We are aware that Jwaneng Galaxy and Gaborone United will represent Botswana in continental competitions and they need to be ready.' The action begins on Friday with the women's competition, with the national champions, Gaborone United (GU) Ladies, facing BDF XI at 10am, before hosts Jwaneng Galaxy Ladies meet Double Action at noon. The third-place playoff is scheduled for 3pm, whilst the final kicks off at 6pm. Saturday's programme shifts to the men's tournament, where defending champions Jwaneng Galaxy face Mochudi Centre Chiefs before Botswana Premier League champions GU take on Namibian side African Stars.
The winners advance to the final later that day, while Sunday is reserved for social teams. Tickets cost P30 per day. Chiefs head into the tournament with one of the busiest transfer windows in the league after recruiting Mpho Kgaswane, Kennedy Xavier da Costa, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Omphile Vissagie, Benson Mosokobanji, Phenyo Serameng, Kelvin Ndebele and Thabiso Serokane. The Kgatleng outfit also enjoyed a productive trip to Pretoria, defeating South African side Gomora United 2-1 in a pre-season friendly. Chiefs' assistant coach, Alex Malete, believes the tournament comes at the perfect stage of the team's preparations. 'It is a pre-season tournament. It is an opportunity for all the teams, Mochudi Centre Chiefs included, to sharpen the team before the season starts, which is our top priority at the moment,' he said. 'We want to raise the level by integrating the new players with those who have been around.
It is a process, and it has been a wonderful week for us.' Malete added that the tournament will help the technical team assess combinations before the league campaign begins. 'It is an opportunity for new players to get game time and prepare for the new season. We need to measure the team, make mistakes and rectify them before the league starts.' The league champions GU have also reinforced their squad with the signings of striker Bame 'Bamuza' Morwalela from Sua Flamingoes, attacking midfielder Thapelo Babedi from BDF XI and prospect midfielder Tlotlo Keipidile on a season-long loan from Black Lions. Sean Connor's side has already given the new arrivals valuable minutes after drawing 1-1 with Morupule Wanderers before beating the same opponents 1-0 in a second friendly.
The tournament's defending champions, Galaxy, also enter the tournament under new leadership following the appointment of Belgian coach Ivan Minnaert. The former Vipers SC coach has inherited a side without prolific striker Thabang Sesinyi, who joined Marumo Gallants, whilst goalkeepers Goitseone Phoko and Victor James have also departed. Minnaert said the focus is on preparation rather than results. 'I welcome everybody on Friday, Saturday and Sunday to a big fiesta so that we enjoy the game,' he said. 'For us it is a learning process. We want to see how far we are before the cup competition next month.' African Stars complete the four-team field and are expected to provide another stern regional test as organisers continue their tradition of inviting foreign opposition.