29 May 2025

 Francistown-based TAFIC and past season surprise title contenders dominated the FNB Premiership Awards during a ceremony in Gaborone yesterday.

TAFIC’s Democratic Republic of Congo star, Jean Lwamba was named the Player of the Season, earning P100 000 after a stellar season for Matjimenyenga scoring 15 goals and making eight assists, 23 goal contributions in 29 games. Lwamba and Gaborone United’s Thatayaone Kgamanyane both won the Golden Boot Award, each getting P25 000 and miniature trophies for being the league's top goal scorers with 15 goals each.

Another TAFIC player, Manda Nongo became the Players' Player of the Season voted for by his fellow professional playing peers in the league, earning P50 000, the same amount won by their mentor, Elias Chinyemba who got the Stanley Tshosane Coach of the Season award. It was announced on the night that to honour the recently deceased former national coach, Stanley Tshosane, the Coach of the Season award would bear his name, and members of his family were present to symbolically hand over the award to Chinyemba.

Moses Shidodo, the effervescent Namibian international midfield maestro, saw his exceptional performances for Matebele earn him the Supporters’ Player of the Season, getting P25 000 having been voted for by the fans. Gaborone United’s Lebogang Ditsele and Tatenda Gora earned the Midfielder and Defender of the Season accolades worth P25 000 each. TAFIC shotstopper Tshepho Mooketsi, who featured in 22 games, keeping 11 clean sheets and conceding only 13 goals, won the Goalkeeper of the Season award. Another Congolese star, Kazongo Kalombo Gauthier of TAFIC was crowned the Young Player of the Year, also walking away P25 000 richer.

Botswana Football League Chairman's Award went to BFL CEO Bennett Mamelodi. League chairperson, Peter Kesitilwe said this was in honour of Mamelodi having done an excellent work in heading day-to-day administration of the league, which he said proceeded smoothly over the past campaign.

League champions Gaborone United contributed five players to the Team of the Year, with each of the 11 players picked getting a framed photo, special t-shirt and P2 500 cash. Team of the year comprised Gaborone United’s Thatayaone Kgamanyane, Thabo Motswagole, Lebogang Ditsele, Mothusi Johnson, Tatenda Gora and Kemoneetswe Mangwedi of TAFIC, Thami Zulu of Mochudi Centre Chiefs, Manda Nongo-TAFIC, Gilbert Baruti-Jwaneng Galaxy, Jean Lwamba -TAFIC, Thero Setsile-Jwaneng Galaxy. ENDS