Royal showdown: Too close for comfort
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday October 9, 2026 10:45
In an unusual build-up to the much-anticipated ‘Royal Encounter’, the two giants have found themselves preparing for battle almost within touching distance at the Lekidi Football Centre. Chiefs have been sharpening their weapons on the Lekidi East pitch, while Rollers have been going through their drills just metres away on the western side of the facility.
The unusual arrangement has added another layer of intrigue to an already highly anticipated fixture, with security personnel from both camps on alert over the possibility of tactical preparations being observed by the opposition. There was even an incident of spying yesterday, underlining the lengths to which both sides are prepared to go to gain an advantage.
It is a fitting setting for a rivalry built on pride, history and bragging rights. Between them, the two clubs have won 20 league titles and dominated domestic football for much of the 2010s. However, the championship celebrations that once became almost routine have dried up.
Rollers last lifted the league title in 2019, while Chiefs have endured an even longer drought, having last been crowned champions in 2014. Both are desperate to return to their championship-winning ways, although their journeys this season have taken contrasting turns.
The two teams enter Saturday’s encounter level on four points, although Rollers have played two matches compared to Chiefs’ four. Popa remain unbeaten, opening their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Morupule Wanderers before dispatching Extension Gunners 3-0 in Gaborone.
Chiefs, meanwhile, have managed just one victory in four matches. Magosi have recorded one draw and two defeats, with their latest setback coming in a 2-0 loss away to TAFIC last weekend.
The defeat marked an unhappy debut for newly appointed head coach Reneilwe Letsholonyane, who now faces the daunting prospect of welcoming Rollers in his first home match.
On the opposite bench, Rollers interim coach Oupa Kowa is overseeing a rebuilding exercise following a turbulent pre-season characterised by player departures, registration challenges and uncertainty over the composition of the squad.
Speaking to MmegiSport on the sidelines of Rollers’ training session, Kowa said preparations had progressed well since the international break. The Blues also travelled to Maun for a friendly against Gunners, winning the match to further boost morale.
“Generally, since the international break, preparations have been going well. We travelled to Maun, where we played Gunners and fortunately beat them, which creates an atmosphere of doing something right, but it doesn’t guarantee that we will beat Centre Chiefs. Of course, we want to beat them,” Kowa said.
He said the team had no major injury concerns, while players returning from Under-23 national duty had rejoined the squad in good spirits.
Despite the encouraging start, Kowa is refusing to get carried away, insisting that Rollers remain a work in progress.
“We are rebuilding. We have had a positive start, four points from six, which is more than 50%. We are going into a derby that is traditionally very popular and gives us good games,” he said.
Rollers lost several established players during the off-season, including some who had served the club for years. Kowa, however, believes the departures have created opportunities for new players to establish themselves and develop their own identity.
For him, Saturday’s contest will ultimately be decided by what happens on the pitch rather than reputation or history.
“The most important thing is what you do on the day. This is what I emphasise to my players,” he said.
Kowa has also challenged his players to ensure their unbeaten start does not mask shortcomings in their performances.
“Right now, I am not looking at results as a first step. I am looking at performance as a first step. Results will follow because if we perform, results will follow,” he said.
His immediate ambition is to build a competitive side capable of finishing in the top six after last season’s disappointing campaign.
While Rollers are enjoying an unbeaten start, Chiefs are still searching for consistency under their new technical leadership. Letsholonyane, who took charge following the departure of Miguel Corral Torreira, believes there were encouraging signs despite his losing debut against TAFIC.
“Not a good start in terms of a result, but a lot of positives that we took from the match. Good attitude from the players, willingness to want to do more for the team and for a positive response in Saturday’s match,” Letsholonyane said.
The former South African international has inherited a squad strengthened by experienced arrivals, including Mpho Kgaswane, Kennedy Da Costa and former Rollers duo Mosha Gaolaolwe and Omphile Vissagie.
The presence of former Popa players adds another dimension to the encounter, but Letsholonyane said his immediate priority is getting the squad to function as a unit.
“I think we are still on course to achieve that goal of getting results. Like any other team, new players need time to understand each other and, of course, the coach’s way of doing things. But we are not far off from getting there,” he said.
“We are not cheating the process. We do what we need to do to create a good team that will match the quality.”
Recent history provides some encouragement for Magosi, who completed a league double over Rollers last season. Chiefs won the first meeting 2-1 before securing a 2-0 victory in the reverse fixture.
However, Letsholonyane is not relying on those results.
“When both teams meet, every time it becomes a new ball game. So history doesn’t matter on Saturday. We need to be on our A game as it will definitely not be an easy game to play,” he said.
The Chiefs coach’s immediate challenge is ensuring his players are not overwhelmed by the occasion, particularly with the expectations surrounding his first home appearance.
“We have to match their energy first and play the game, not an event,” he said.
While the rivalry guarantees a charged atmosphere, Saturday’s encounter also carries significant implications for both clubs’ ambitions. A victory for Rollers would strengthen their promising start and provide further evidence that Kowa’s rebuilding project is moving in the right direction.
For Chiefs, three points would ease the pressure created by their indifferent opening matches and hand Letsholonyane his first victory in charge.
The Magosi coach believes his players owe themselves a positive result after two weeks of preparation.
“It is key that we play well and get a result, and not only for the supporters, but also for ourselves to reward our hard work in the past two weeks,” he said. Kick-off is at 7pm.