New champions born out of aborted leagues
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday June 19, 2020 14:00
The divisive decision broke tradition and birthed a new crop of champions across the leagues in the country.
Jwaneng Galaxy are BTC Premiership champions for the first time in the club’s history. Galaxy became the youngest club to win the championship having been established in 2014 while they gained promotion to the elite league just a year later.
In their five-year stay in the top flight, it has finished as Township Rollers’ bridesmaid on three occasions. The Jwaneng-based side won the title with 40 points, just a point ahead of second placed Rollers and Orapa United who sit on third.
Three coaches, Miguel da Costa, Oris Radipotsane and Nikola Kavazovic, contributed to Galaxy’s maiden triumph. Kavazovic has not sat on the bench for Galaxy but will walk away with a championship medal.
“We are very happy with the decision. We have always been looking forward to being champions as we had prepared for it. It is just unfortunate that we were crowned during the COVID-19 period,” Galaxy’s public relations officer, Tankiso Morake said.
TAFIC have become the league’s yo-yo club as they relegate to the second tier alongside Molepolole City Stars and Miscellaneous. Orapa United’s Mbatshi Elias walks away with Green Boot with nine goals.
He is tied with Rollers’ duo of Motsholetsi Sikele and Lemponye Tshireletso. Molepolole-based side, Masitaoka have been promoted to the top tier for the first time.
Masitaoka spent just a season in the Debswana First Division South league after acquiring the status of Black Peril.
Under the tutelage of seasoned tactician, Nelson Olebile, Majatlhaga finished with 37 points, just a point above Mogoditshane Fighters.
While in the north, Sua Flamingoes made history of their own, pipping Nico United to the Debswana First Division North title.
Flamingoes will also be playing in the Premiership for the first time. The team was tied on 37 points with Nico United, but have a better goal difference.
Both First Division leagues were left with just four rounds to play. The Kweneng Region Women’s league also has new champions in BDF XI team. The women from the barracks had won all their six games played before the league was suspended.
They bagged their first league title with 18 points, just two above holders, Mexican Girls. BDF XI was in menacing mode, scoring 26 goals in six games while conceding just once, to cap a rather successful season in their two-year history.