Rollers: The rise of the blue phoenix
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday August 18, 2026 10:16
But while there was much pomp and fanfare on the red side of Gaborone, uncertainty loomed on the blue side. Township Rollers, a team that has become the enduring yardstick of the local game, found itself in football’s Intensive Care Unit.
It did not matter how much the kiss of life was applied to the ailing giant, Rollers appeared to be sliding inexorably towards the abyss. Players left in droves, while fans were understandably concerned.
Some even began preparing an obituary, last penned in 2004 when, like the approaching dusk, Rollers disappeared into First Division oblivion.
Those fears intensified as Rollers struggled to settle players’ dues and consistently found themselves on the wrong side of newspaper headlines.
Gasping for positive news, the blue family could find no saviour, and only hope kept the Popa faithful going. But the situation had all the hallmarks of a ticking time bomb.
With the new season fast approaching and rivals, particularly GU and Mochudi Centre Chiefs, looking immaculate in their preparations, Rollers’ situation appeared increasingly dire.
Out of the blue, Popa waved the magic wand and the kiss of life finally paid dividends. In a space of days, Rollers moved from basket case to bread basket status as the corporate world responded positively to the record 16 times league champions' rallying cry.
From the biblical Lazarus to the rich man, the status swap was swift and effective. Rollers will not longer carry the begging bowl, not for now.
By local standards, they should be considered mega rich with their deals for the season threatening to breach the P10 million mark.
It is a revolution that has taken place under the watchful reign of Thapelo 'Fish' Pabalinga, who would rightly take the credit for turning the situation around.
It is the kind of news that local football deserve to hear following recent upheavals in the Botswana Football League boardroom. A healthy Rollers means healthy competition for the likes of GU and Chiefs.
Football is desperate for positive news after being weighed down by a steady stream of depressing developments, particularly from the boardroom, for some time.
It is good to see the corporate world recognising the value of investing in the local game, which, in turn, can create a sustainable value chain. So many livelihoods depend on football and its related activities, and in the current difficult economic climate, it is all too easy for clubs to sink.
Companies willing to throw a lifeline to these sinking ships therefore deserve their flowers. But for such investment to have a lasting impact, clubs must be professionally run, while the administration of the game itself must be of the highest standard.