05 Oct 2023

Botswana Premier League (BPL) 2023/24 season finally kicks off this weekend in various stadia across the country, though without a flagship sponsor for the fourth year running.

The league was last sponsored by telecommunications giants, Be Mobile and since the sponsorship expired at the end of the 2019/20 season, the BPL executive committee has been hitting blanks in the efforts to land a flagship sponsor despite some notable names being thrown around.

The first games will kick off tomorrow with Masitaoka ‘hosting’ Township Rollers at the National stadium.

Rollers will start the season for the first time in a while without its long-term sponsor Jagdish Shah who parted ways with them during the off season.

Rollers faithfuls however, are hopeful that the severing of the long relationship will not affect their on field performance, and Mapalastina are equally determined to turn their fortunes around as they finished the last season without a single trophy.

Rollers finished the last season at a distant fourth with 53 points, a massive 19 points behind champions, Jwaneng Galaxy. After gaining promotion to the Premier League, Matebele FC, the ambitious rookies from Matebele near Oodi sent stern warning to established teams that they will be coming to the elite league not to add numbers but compete, and they will have their first chance to prove they meant business when they visit Security Systems at VTM Arena.

Systems is also hopeful to use the naivety of the new boys to give their season a spring start.

After their disappointment in failing to advance to the group stages of the CAF Confederations Cup for the first time in their history, Gaborone United hopes to have another chance at the

African competitions next season via a better performance in the league.

After finishing last season in the second spot, GU’s only improvement will mean the championship title. Moya Goleele visit Nico United at the Sam Sono Stadium in Selebi Phikwe.After many years in the lower division, Francistown giants, Tafic will kick the ball on a lush grass for the first time in years at the Obed Itan Chilume stadium when they welcome Orapa United.

Tafic however, will be expecting a tough game as Orapa has been one of the teams to beat ever since its formation 2012.

In the last game on Saturday, BDF XI will welcome new boys, VTM FC at the Lobatse Sports Complex.

On Sunday, reigning champions, Jwaneng Galaxy will visit Holy Ghost of Mmopane at the VTM Arena.

Galaxy are still on a high after they progressed to the group stages of the lucrative CAF Champions League after they eliminated Soweto giants, Orlando Pirates through penalties.

Galaxy will want to prove that they are classes above their opponents and the Jwaneng lads will also welcome the start of the league which comes in handy to give them match fitness for the CAF engagements.

Galaxy is also hoping to unleash its front force of Thabang Sesinyi and new acquisition from Orapa United, Omaatla Kebatho. The two are expected to give teams a torrid time after they finished as joint-top scorers with 23 goal each last season.

Holy Ghost on the other remains optimistic of building on their last minute momentum of the past season where they finished just above the relegation zone after starring relegation in the face for the better part of the season.

At the Lobatse Sports complex, Police XI play Sua Flamengoes while Morupule Wanderers welcome Eleven Angels at Palapye Stadium. Angels performed beyond expectations when they finished their maiden season on position six, and will be hoping to build on that momentum.

After this weekend, the league will break to give way for the FIFA international week and will resume on October 18. All the games start at 4pm. ENDS