The high and lows of the season
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday May 31, 2019 20:19
Celebrations Rollers’ Sweet16
Township Rollers retained the league title once again, winning it for a record extending 16 times, overall. The Blues won it for a fourth consecutive season, equalling their own record of the Rollers team led by Congolese tactician Chibaso ‘Coach’ Kande that achieved the same feat between 1982 and 1985. Popa conceded just 15 goals while scoring 61 times. The team won 20 of the 30 league games, playing to draws eight times while losing only twice.
Warders’ guard stays on
Prisons XI survived the chop on the last day of the season. Their season started off on a bad note after parting ways with coach, Philemon Makwengwe but Sepheko Motlhagodi came in and steered the ship towards survival with victories against fellow relegation candidates, Black Forest, Mochudi Centre Chiefs and Sankoyo Bush Bucks to cement their place in the elite league.
Setsile bags the Green Boot
Jwaneng Galaxy’s Thero Setsile managed to hold off competition from veteran strikers Joel Mogorosi and Kekaetswe Moloi to clinch the top goal scorer accolade with 18 goals. The duo came in second place with 16 goals each. ‘Mahachi’ proved his versatility in the Galaxy side as he played as a left back, left wing and as a second striker. He showed great improvement this season especially in the final third, where his pace and skill were a constant threat to the defenders.
Tears Sankoyo bite the dust
Their relegation was long on the cards following a couple of league campaigns battling financial problems. But Sankoyo Bush Bucks fought bravely in their four-year stay in the elite league. However, this season it proved way too much for the Maun-based side, as despite their last minute charge towards survival, they failed to avoid the chop. The long trips to the northwest and the passionate Ngurungu supporters will be surely missed in the next league campaign.
So near, yet so far for Galaxy
The Jwaneng-based side produced arguably the best football in this campaign. Under the tutelage of Miguel da Costa, Jwaneng Galaxy once again finished second for the third consecutive time. The Galaxy Stars pushed champions, Township Rollers to the finish, as they were just two points behind the Blues. Along the way Galaxy had the second best defensive and scoring records and had the second highest number of wins in the league. They handed the league champions the heaviest defeat of the season with a 3-1 win in January.
The royal fall
Mochudi Centre Chiefs are no longer a Botswana Premier League side. In fact, a search for the once mighty outfit will lead you to the second tier of Botswana’s football; the First Division. After several Houdini Acts in the past three seasons, Chiefs finally succumbed, and the glory days were officially over. Before Chiefs went down, a dark cloud had fallen the side when club manager, Clifford Mogomotsi passed on in a car accident in December.
Makwengwe sees red
Makwengwe will feel the unluckiest coach after his contract was not renewed. This is despite him picking Gaborone United from the foot of the table and pushing the team to a sixth place finish. He also reached the final of the Mascom Top 8 where he lost to Jwaneng Galaxy. Despite his efforts, his heroics were deemed insufficient for a club that began the season in doldrums.
The Bizzare Moments
Dormant Ncenga wins title No.7
Rollers defender, Obuile ‘Oscar’ Ncenga will count himself as the luckiest man this season, after winning a league medal despite not having touched the ball. He was backup to Mosha Gaolaolwe, Ofentse Nato, Kaone van der Westuhuizen and Simisane Mathumo. The Rollers’ loyalist won his seventh league medal without raising a sweat as he joins the elite class that include legends like Oris Radipotsane and Chibaso ‘Coach’ Kande who have won seven titles.
Chiefs, Gunners kit clash
It was like their fate was already decided from the first game as Mochudi Centre Chiefs showed early signs. Magosi were away in the league opener against Extension Gunners but did not have an alternative as both teams wear the traditional black and white. This forced a 30-minute delay to kick-off as an alternative kit was being sought.
Forest’s late showings
The Magoleng-based side was the first to relinquish their Premier League status. The team had a habit of showing up late for league games as they cited transport troubles. In one incident, the players were ferried to the Molepolole Sports Complex by sympathisers after their mini bus crashed on the way. On the final day, away to Orapa United, they arrived five minutes before kick off.
BTC sponsorship threats
As action rolled on, on the pitch, in the boardroom, there were squabbles. Sponsor, BTC has told the Botswana Football Association (BFA) that they are ready to pack and go, as the deal has failed to pay expected dividends. It is a matter that will rumble on in the off-season, and might have reaching ramifications for the start of the next campaign.
Fixtures problem rears ugly head
There was no respite for teams regarding the fixtures. The BPL office appeared to be in sixes and sevens, constantly chopping and changing fixtures.
The highlight was the aborted fixture between Miscellaneous and Township Rollers, which briefly threatened the smooth running of the programme. In a bid to resolve the fixture issues, the league management committee was reinstated, such that the secretariat cannot change the programme without informing the committee.
The outstanding
Most improved team: Police XI
In the previous season, The Jungle Kings were engulfed in a relegation fight but fast forward to 12 months later, they are in the top four bracket. The team has seen an improvement of 18 points from 35 to 53 in the process, they managed to keep it tighter at the back conceding just 29 goals in 30 goals as compared to last season’s 50.
Coach of the season: Mike Sithole (Police XI)
He was roped in at the start of the season to change fortunes of the former champions and he certainly did that. Sithole’s Police XI finished fourth despite a minimal budget and less high profile names.
He made three major signings with the duo of Kekaetswe Moloi and Bonolo Fraizer and defender Tonderai Nyakumba. The trio had a major impact as both defensive and offensive records improved and that contributed immensely to the team’s success.
Player of the season: Thero Setsile
‘Mahachi’ faces competition from Rollers’ Motsholetsi Sikele. The duo was outstanding both in attack and defence whenever they were called upon. However, Setsile showed immense goal scoring ability finishing as the top goal scorer with 18 goals. He was a reliable member of the team as he netted in 15 games.