This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page . (Learn how and when to remove these template messages)
|
Organising body | Botswana Football League |
---|---|
Founded | 1978 |
Country | Botswana |
Confederation | CAF |
Number of teams | 16 |
Level on pyramid | 1 |
Relegation to | Debswana First Division North and Debswana First Division South |
Domestic cup(s) | FA Challenge Cup |
League cup(s) | Mascom Top 8 Cup |
International cup(s) | Champions League Confederation Cup |
Current champions | Jwaneng Galaxy (2022–23) |
Most championships | Township Rollers (16 titles) |
Top goalscorer | Thabang Sesinyi (102 goals) |
TV partners | BTV |
Current: 2023–24 Botswana Premier League |
The Botswana Premier League is the highest level football league in Botswana. Organised by the Botswana Football Association, the league was formed in 1978 to replace the pre-independence Bechuanaland Union African Soccer League, which was regional. [1] Participants in the first edition of the league included Tlokweng Pirates, Notwane, Black Peril, Queens Park Rangers and a team from Ngwaketse district. [1]
The league has always been dominated by the teams that are based south of Dibete or in the southern part of the country. In the 2006–07 season, Ecco City Greens made history by becoming the first team from the north to lift the lucrative competition. The league is sponsored by a mobile phone operator Be Mobile to the tune of 30 million pula. After the ABSA premiership in South Africa, the Be Mobile league is the second highest sponsored league in the COSAFA region. The league has continued to grow in leaps and bounds as shown by the increasing number of foreign players in the BPL. Some top players from mainly Zimbabwe like Arnold Chaka, Master Masitara, Elvis Meleka, Mandla Sibanda, Sageby Sandaka and Tendai Ndoro have ditched the Zimbabwean PSL for the BPL in recent years. Recently Namibian stars like Jerome Luis and Benson Shilongo arrived in Botswana in search of the Pula. After terminating their television deal with a South African company RP Productions, the league is now negotiating a long-term deal with Supersport International. In early 2013, the pay TV shown five BPL games on a testing basis.[ citation needed ]
The Botswana Football League as of July 2023 announced plans to reduce the amount of teams from 16 to 12. [2] In the 2023–24 season, 4 teams will be relegated with only 2 promoting. The following season, 2024–25, the same will be applied which leaves 12 teams in the Botswana Premier League. The main given reason is the contricted resources.
Since the 1980s, the Botswana Premier League has had title sponsors. The list below details who the sponsors were and what they called the league:
Period | Sponsor | Name | Reference |
---|---|---|---|
1991 to 2001 | Kgalagadi Breweries Limited | Castle Super League | |
2002 to 2005 | St Louis Premiership | ||
2006 to 2008 | Mascom | Mascom Premiership | |
2009 to 2014 | Botswana Telecommunications Corporation | be Mobile Premiership | [3] |
2014 to 2020 | BTC Premiership | ||
2021 to present | No title sponsor | Botswana Premier League | [4] [5] |
During the league, from August to May, each club plays each of the other teams twice; once at home and once away, totaling 30 games for each team by the end of the season. Therefore, in Botswana football a true round-robin format is used. In the first half of the season, each team plays once against each league opponent, for a total of 15 games. In the second half of the season, the teams play in exactly the same order that they did in the first half of the season, the only difference being that home and away situations are switched. Since the 1994–95 season, teams were awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Since Botswana is lowly ranked in the CAF rankings only one CAF Champions League spot is awarded to the league champions. The cup winners gain a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.[ citation needed ]
Since the 2005–06 season if two or more teams end the league with the same number of points, the deciding tie-breakers used are (in order):
Starting from 2002–03 until 2012–13 the broadcasting rights were held by the state broadcaster Botswana Television (BTV) and its radio partner Radio Botswana (RB1). P5 million per season were paid for the rights. Broadcasting of the games was irregular as the TV showed majority of games played in and around Gaborone citing poor quality stadiums in the north. Two weekend games are shown live on TV, with midweek games being delayed.[ citation needed ]
In 2013 there was major excitement when South African broadcasting giant entered the local market. The deal saw the state broadcaster temporarily losing the rights, as a few games were shown on pay-per-view. However it was short lived as SuperSport and the BFA parted their ways. Broadcasting resumed normally on BTV and RB1.[ citation needed ]
Since 1980 all BPL games have been played at the same times. On Saturday most are played 15:00 pm CAT on winter and 16:00 pm CAT in summer. Few games are played at night due to poor lighting in most stadiums. In Sunday all games are played at 15:00 pm CAT or 16:00 pm CAT depending on the season.
Most in midweek games are played at 19:00 pm CAT.[ citation needed ]
Club | City / Town | Position in 2022-23 |
---|---|---|
Botswana Defence Force XI | Gaborone | 10th |
Eleven Angels | Francistown | 6th |
Gaborone United | Gaborone | 2nd |
Holy Ghost | Gaborone | 13th |
Jwaneng Galaxy | Jwaneng | 1st |
Masitaoka | Gaborone | 7th |
Matebele FC | Matebeleng | Promoted |
Morupule Wanderers | Palapye | 12th |
Nico United | Selebi-Phikwe | 11th |
Orapa United | Orapa | 3rd |
Police XI | Otse | 9th |
Security Systems | Otse | 5th |
Sua Flamingoes | Sowa | 8th |
TAFIC | Francistown | Promoted |
Township Rollers | Gaborone | 4th |
VTM FC | Gaborone | Promoted |
Previous champions are: [6]
Season | Winner | Team |
---|---|---|
2007–08 | Mike Sithole | Gaborone United |
2011–12 | Daniel Nare | BMC |
2012–13 | Madinda Ndlovu | Mochudi Centre Chiefs |
2015–16 | Mark Harrison | Township Rollers |
2016–17 | Mogomotsi Mpote | Township Rollers |
2017–18 | Nikola Kavazovic | Township Rollers |
2018–19 | Rodolfo Zapata | Township Rollers |
2019–20 | Miguel da Costa | Jwaneng Galaxy |
Club | City | Titles | Last Title |
---|---|---|---|
Township Rollers | Gaborone | 16 | 2018–19 |
Gaborone United | Gaborone | 7 | 2021–22 |
Botswana Defence Force XI | Mogoditshane | 7 | 2003–04 |
Mogoditshane Fighters | Mogoditshane | 4 | 2003 |
Mochudi Centre Chiefs | Mochudi | 4 | 2014–15 |
Extension Gunners | Lobatse | 3 | 1994 |
Notwane | Gaborone | 3 | 1998 |
Jwaneng Galaxy | Jwaneng | 2 | 2022-23 |
ECCO City Greens | Francistown | 1 | 2006–07 |
Police XI | Otse | 1 | 2005–06 |
Season | Goalscorer | Team | Goals |
---|---|---|---|
2005–06 | Malepa Bolelang | ECCO City Greens | 24 |
2006–07 | Pontsho Moloi | Mochudi Centre Chiefs | 22 |
2007–08 | Master Masitara Jerome Ramatlhakwane | Nico United Mochudi Centre Chiefs | 18 |
2008–09 | Master Masitara | Nico United | 27 |
2009–10 | Terrence Mandaza | Township Rollers | 31 |
2011–12 | Pontsho Moloi | Mochudi Centre Chiefs | |
2012–13 | Pontsho Moloi | Mochudi Centre Chiefs | |
2013–14 | Patrick Kaunda | FC Satmos | 20 |
2014–15 | Lemponye Tshireletso | Mochudi Centre Chiefs | 15 |
2015–16 | Tendai Nyamadzawo | Gilport Lions | 19 |
2016–17 | Terrence Mandaza | Township Rollers | 17 |
2017–18 | Thatayaone Kgamanyane | Gaborone United | 20 |
2018–19 | Thero Setsile | Jwaneng Galaxy | 18 |
2021–22 | Thabang Sesinyi | Jwaneng Galaxy | 24 |
2022–23 | Omaatla Kebatho | Orapa United | 23 |
2023-24 | Thabang Sesinyi | Jwaneng Galaxy | 15 |
Season | Best Player | Team |
---|---|---|
2005–06 | Moemedi Moatlhaping | Township Rollers |
2006–07 | Malepa Bolelang | ECCO City Greens |
2007–08 | Oteng Moalosi | Mochudi Centre Chiefs |
2008–09 | Joseph Phetogo | Gaborone United |
2009–10 | Kabelo Dambe | Township Rollers |
2013–14 | Mwampule Masule | Township Rollers |
2014–15 | Lesego Galenamotlhale | Mochudi Centre Chiefs |
2017–18 | Edwin Moalosi | Township Rollers |
2018–19 | Thero Setsile | Jwaneng Galaxy |
Gaborone is the capital and largest city of Botswana with a population of 246,325 based on the 2022 census, about 10% of the total population of Botswana. Its agglomeration is home to 421,907 inhabitants at the 2011 census.
Mochudi is one of the larger villages in Botswana with a population of 44,815 people in 2011. It is situated in the Bakgatla tribal region, in Kgatleng District, about 37 km (23 mi) northeast of Gaborone. The village lies several kilometres from the main Gaborone–Francistown road, and can be accessed through a short turn at Pilane. Mochudi was settled by the Tswana people in 1871. The main attraction in Mochudi is the Phuthadikobo Museum which is perched at the top of a hill and holds a rich history of Bakgatla tribe and Batswana in general.
The Botswana National Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in Gaborone, Botswana. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium holds 25,000 people.
The FA Challenge Cup, currently known as the Orange FA Cup or Orange Cup for sponsorship reasons, is the premier club football tournament in Botswana. Started in 1968 and first played as the Lions Cup, the tournament is based on the idea of giving lower league and amateur teams a chance to compete with top flight teams. It is based on the English FA Cup, which has become known for "giant killings" (lower league teams defeating top flight.
Gaborone United Sporting Club (GU) is a football club from Botswana based in Gaborone. It is the only professional sporting club in Botswana. Its official sponsor is Bank Gaborone, who signed a three-year deal at the beginning of the 2022-23 season. Gaborone United play their home games at several venues.
Botswana Defence Force XI Football Club is a football club from Botswana based in Mogoditshane and playing home games in Gaborone. It is the club of the Botswana Defence Force, composed mostly of military players. As of 2007, players were eligible to play for the club once they became cadets. In 2016, the club reduced the number of civilian players on the team, citing financial concerns.
Notwane FC is a football club from Botswana based in Gaborone. It is named after the Notwane River. Notwane is owned by GMG Global Investments, a subsidiary of GMG Holdings and recently made major scoop by signing former South African international players, former Orlando Pirates player Benedict Vilakazi and former Mamelodi Sundowns player Manqoba Ngwenya
Township Rollers Football Club is a football club based in Gaborone, Botswana. Rollers are also known as Popa, The Blues or Tse Tala, the official nicknames of the club. The club is also often referred to as Mapalastina, a nickname that developed in the 1990s but has never been officially adopted by the club. Rollers is the most successful club in Botswana football history, having won more league titles and cup competitions than any other local side. It enjoys a large support base all over the country and has been called arguably the best-supported team in Botswana.
Dirang Moloi is a Motswana footballer who plays for Botswana club Gaborone United in the Botswana Premier League.
Botswana Television is the national broadcaster in Botswana. Botswana's first national television service started in 2000 following a 1997 government decision. The station delivers thirteen hours of local and international programmes daily on weekdays and 13 hours of programming on weekends.
For association football in Botswana, the Botswana First Division South is the second-tier professional football league in Botswana. Founded in 1966 after Botswana was granted independence, it is administered by the Botswana Football Association and features teams from the southern part of the country.
The Mascom Top 8 Cup is a football cup competition in Botswana. It was created in 2012, and features the top eight finishers from the Botswana Premier League.
The 2015–16 Botswana Premier League was the 39th season of the Botswana Premier League since its establishment in 1978. Township Rollers won their 13th league title after defeating Centre Chiefs, 5–1, in the championship playoff. The playoff was announced following controversy as to who the rightful champion was following a series of point deductions and appeals. Township Rollers were docked 10 points for using ineligible player Ofentse Nato, dropping from 70 points to 60 and into second place with the decision. Following a series of appeals by both Township Rollers and Centre Chiefs, the Botswana Football Association decided to hold a championship game at the National Stadium on June 15, although the match was later postponed and played on August 11 at Molepolole Stadium in Molepolole.
The Botswana Chess Championship is organized by the Botswana Chess Federation, which was founded in 1982.
The 2018 CAF Champions League group stage was played from 4 May to 28 August 2018. A total of 16 teams competed in the group stage to decide the eight places in the knockout stage of the 2018 CAF Champions League.
The 2018–19 Botswana Premier League was the 42nd season of the Botswana Premier League, the top-tier football league in Botswana, since its establishment in 1978. The season started on 18 August 2018. The league drew an average attendance of 1,300 per match.
The 2012 Mascom Top 8 Cup, also known as Mascom Top 8 Cup Season 1, was the inaugural season of the Mascom Top 8 Cup. It was played from May to 29 July 2012. It featured the top eight teams from the 2010-11 Botswana Premier League season.
The 1997 Botswana Premier League, also known as the 1997 Castle Super League for sponsorship reasons, was the 20th season of the Botswana Premier League. It was won by BDF XI.
The 2019–20 Botswana Premier League was the 43rd season of the Botswana Premier League, the top-tier football league in Botswana, since its establishment in 1978. The season started on 31 August 2019.
The 2023–24 Botswana Premier League season is the 46th season of the Botswana Premier League, the top-tier football league in Botswana, since its establishment in 1966. The season is expected to start September. Jwaneng Galaxy FC are the current title holders from the 2022-23 season.