It is as slippery at the top of the league as it is with weather conditions across the country, with no team managing to decisively hold on to the top sport. The league leadership has changed hands amongst TAFIC, Township Rollers, and Gaborone United (GU), with Sua Flamingoes and reigning champions, Jwaneng Galaxy, close behind.
TAFIC The leaders are enjoying, by far, the most impressive season in the history of the club. They are aiming to become the second team from the north to claim the title. TAFIC have enjoyed the most stay at the top of the standings than any other title rivals and would be aiming to hold on until the final day. The team has, however, hit a slump in recent games, managing just two wins in their last five games. It will give the club faithful a quantum of solace as they face two teams in the chase for the title. With just four goals in the last five games, Elias Chinyemba would need to find his scoring boots to smoothen the sail to the title challenge.
Position: First Points: 40 Possible Points: 70 Remaining Fixtures: Rollers (A), Sua Flamingoes (H), Chiefs (A), Chadibe (H), Santos (A), Systems (H), Orapa (A), Morupule (H), Gunners (H), and Nico (A)
Jwaneng Galaxy The champions moved level with TAFIC following the midweek’s resounding 4-0 win over Chadibe FC. Galaxy have not let the midseason coaching changes affect their rhythm, as their championship defence is now in full swing. It had become a worry for Dutch tactician, Peiter de Jongh, that his side was failing to win two consecutive games as in the last five games, they played to a draw on two occasions and recorded three wins. The team is, however, the only one to taste defeat thus far this season, an indication that they might go all the way to a historic third league title.
Position: Second Points: 40 Possible Points: 70 Remaining Fixtures: Santos (H), Systems (A), Orapa (H), Morupule (A), Gunners (H), Nico (A), Matebele (H), Rollers (H), GU (A), and VTM (H)
Township Rollers The record league champions must be feeling the pressure the most after five seasons without tasting the league championship. The pressure showed as the team cracked in the 3-1 away defeat to Morupule Wanderers in their last league game. The defeat meant Rollers are winless in their last two away games, raising concerns over dropping points on the road. Their league championship run needs a TAFIC and Galaxy slip. Position: Third Points: 39 Possible Points: 69 Remaining Fixtures: Rollers (H), Gunners (A), Sua (H), Nico (A), Chiefs (H), Matebele (A), Chadibe (H), Galaxy (A), Santos (H), and GU (H)
Gaborone United Bulgarian head coach, Dimitar Pantev, is settling well at the club but would be concerned that his side continues to drop points. The Reds have only won twice in the last five games, played to a draw once and lost on two occasions. It is a bad record for a team in the race for the championship, but unlike the other challengers, GU have played a game less.
Position: Fourth Points: 36 Possible Points:: 69 Remaining Fixtures: Chiefs (H), Chadibe (A), Santos (H), Systems (H), Orapa (A), Morupule (H), Gunners (A), Nico (H), Matebele (A), Galaxy (H), and Rollers (A)
Sua Flamingoes They have collected the most points since the start of the second round of the league, as the Nikola Kavazovic effect is in full force. Since that 4-0 defeat agaist GU on Kavazovic’s return, the Flam Boys have lost only once in eight games. The defeat was a 2-1 loss to Galaxy and Flamingoes would believe they have an easier run-in as the teams from the bottom half of the table in the last 10 games. However, the team still has demanding trips to Rollers and TAFIC away from home. Position: Fifth Points: 35 Possible Points: 65 Remaining Fixtures: BDF XI (H), TAFIC (A), Rollers (A), Chiefs (H), Chadibe (A), Santos (H), Systems (A), Orapa (H), Morupule (A), and Gunners (A)
At the bottom also, no team is safe and dry and safe starting with the 11th-placed VTM FC. It is also an exciting outlook on the battle for survival that features VTM, Security Systems, BDF XI, Extension Gunners, Chadibe FC, and Uniao Flamengo Santos. Only four points separate VTM and the relegation zone, and it is expected to be another tough display to avoid the drop for the five teams caught in the mix.
VTM FC They were ruled out at the start of the campaign due to their in-club issues, but the team has managed to turn out for this season. In only their second season in the elite league, VTM are struggling to discover the form that won them a top-half finish in their debut season. The team is winless in the last five games but managed to collect a point each against challengers, Sua Flamingoes, and an improved Orapa United. Position: 11th Points: 20 Possible Points: 50 Remaining Fixtures: Chiefs (A), Chadibe (H), Santos (A), Systems (H), Orapa (H), Morupule (A), Gunners (H), Nico (A), Matebele (H), and Galaxy (H)
Extension Gunners It looked like a season gone to waste after the club bought a Premier League status, but the team failed to produce good performances on the field of play. However, things have turned around and life is fair at Gunners under the leadership of a new investor, Ally Kgomongwe. They managed to make reinforcements in the January window, thus contributing to the much-improved performances on the field. The team has managed to pull away from the relegation spots. They are undefeated in the last five games and recorded wins in their last two. Position: 12th Points: 20 Possible Points: 50 Remaining Fixtures: Morupule (H), Gunners (H), Nico (A), Matebele (H), Galaxy (A), GU (H), VTM (H), BDF (H), TAFIC (A), and Sua (A)
Security Systems It seems parting ways with some of its key players in the off-season has left the team reeling. The team's head coach, David Bothasitse, also has decried a lack of goal scorers in the team as Systems continue to misfire. The technical changes could affect the team also. Bothasitse will sit out the next three games after being found guilty of xenophobic slurs. Former Police XI’s head coach, Isaiah Mogwadi, is reported to have joined the club as technical director and will hold the fort until the return of Bothasitse. They have played a game less than their rivals.
Position: 13th Points: 17 Possible Points: 50 Remaining Fixtures: Matebele (A), Galaxy (H), GU (A), VTM (A), BDF (H), TAFIC (A), Sua (H), Chiefs (A0, Chadibe (H), and Santos (A)
BDF XI It is a mystery why BDF XI find themselves in the relegation position. The team is blessed with international players from the Zebras, Eswatini and Lesotho national teams. The Carmo Boys are also one of the most resourced teams in the league. The poor form on the field could be a lack of desire from the playing personnel, as head coach Nelson Setshwane once questioned their commitment during a post-match interview. As they stare their first ever drop to the second tier, BDF XI might do battle without Setshwane, who is said to be suspended. Just a single point in the last five games should be a concern at the Barracks.
Position: 14th Points: 16 Possible Points: 46 Remaining Fixtures: Sua (A), Chiefs (H), Chadibe (A), Santos (H), Systems (A), Orapa (H), Morupule (H), Gunners (A), Nico (H), and Matebele (A)
Chadibe FC It would be sad for the football community in the north if the newbies dropped after a single campaign in the top tier. Chadibe are amongst the least resourced teams in the league but boosted their ranks with the inclusion of attackers Morris Ruzivo and Ronel Manyanga, formerly with GU. The team thus far has a single win and it was a fortnight ago against Nico United. Chadibe have been shy in front of the goal, with just one goal in every two games. The team has the most defeats with 11, tied with bottom-placed Santos.
Position: 15th Points: 11 Possible Points: 41 Remaining Fixtures: GU (H), VTM (A), BDF (H), TAFIC (A), Sua (H), Chiefs (A), Rollers (A), Santos (H), Sytems (A), and Orapa (H)
Uniao Flamengo Santos With just nine points in the 18 games played thus far, Santos are destined for a quick return to the second tier. The team has a single win throughout the season and they have the highest number of defeats at 11. The team has the least number of goals scored as they found the back of the net just on 11 occasions and conceded the most with 40 goals, making it an average of just over two goals per game. Position: Last Points: Nine Possible Points: 45 Remaining Fixtures: Galaxy (A), GU (A), VTM (H), BDF (A), TAFIC (H), Sua (A), Chiefs (H), Chadibe (A), Rollers (A), and Systems (H)
The Golden Boot race
Galaxy’s Thero Setsile has moved level with TAFIC's Jean Lwamba on 10 goals scored this season. The pair leads the goal scorers' charts in a very tight race for the Golden Boot honour. Lwamba got off to a brilliant start as he found the back of the net seven times in 10 matches. Setsile, on the other hand, has had a rather slow rise in the race for the prestigious honour. The local elite league’s average of 20 goals is not under much threat this campaign, as the forward in contention will need to score a goal in each of the last 10 games to break the 20-goal ceiling. GU’s Thatayaone Kgamanyane is lurking behind on nine goals after the 2021-2022 top goal scorer had his season disturbed by injuries.
