Top 8 euphoria returns for local football
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Tuesday September 29, 2026 09:31
The knockout competition, which comprises Premier League’s Top 8 teams from last season, was last played in 2020 under the sponsorship of mobile network provider, Mascom Wireless. African Hero, the new sponsors, have pumped in P4 million for this season’s competition, with the winners walking away with P1.5 million.
BFL spokesperson, Mosimanegape Tshoswane revealed at the launch that unlike the previous Top 8 competition, there will be no home and away two-legged fixtures.
The tournament will be played in a one-legged format with the top four teams from last season’s FNB Premiership, Gaborone United (GU), Jwaneng Galaxy, Sua Flamingoes and Mochudi Centre Chiefs enjoying the home ground advantage.
GU, as the defending league champions will take on Nico United, which finished eighth last season. Galaxy will face Township Rollers while Sua Flamingoes take on Orapa United. Chiefs and Morupule Wanderers will complete the quarterfinal stage.
Tshoswane also announced that there will be a live draw for the semi finals after the quarterfinals. It has also been announced that the semi finals will be played in a double, header format with the venue yet to be decided.
The Man of the match award winners will walk away with P5,000 while the Player of the tournament goes home with P50, 000 at the end of the competition.
The best coach will take home P30, 000 with the best goalkeeper and top goalscorer each taking P25, 000. The competition will also reward the best young player with P20, 000 while the best referee also pockets P20, 000.
Best assistant referee and supporters’ best player each goes home with P15, 000. Supporters will also get a chance in the podium with fan of the tournament getting P10, 000.
The team that will finish as runners up will get P750, 0000 while the two semi finalists take home P200, 000 each. The teams that get knocked out in the quarterfinals will each get P100, 000.
Speaking at the launch, African Hero chief executive officer, Akash Singh said football has the power to unite communities and create opportunities.
For his part, BFL board chairperson, Sipho Showa welcomed Africa Hero’s investment in the competition. He said the competition represents an important opportunity to strengthen the commercial offering of Botswana football.