26 Jun 2025

Rivalry will be renewed in what promises to be a blockbuster fixture in the Botswana Basketball League’s calendar, as Dolphins take on Police V at Ba Isago Courts on Saturday at 7pm. 

This will be a game with little margin for error and everything on the line. It is poised to go down in the annals of history, as both teams are yet to be defeated in the league and were on a three-game winning streak. The battle between Dolphins and Police V is forever an epic one for supremacy and neither of the teams will go down without a fight. 

With both teams evenly matched in terms of championship titles between them, the youthful Dolphins are on paper hot favourites to triumph over their much experienced opponents as they have assembled an array of stars in their camp with captain Kesaobaka Ndawanyana and national team player, Thuto Gaborone, expected to lead the Dolphins offence. 

The Dolphin’s depth has been their strength throughout the league thus far and has stepped up with fantastic performances throughout.  They will, however, be hoping for a much tighter defensive display in avoidance of turn over balls to avoid easy transition baskets that could allow Police to attempt more field goals. 

Police V will, however, be banking on the agility on fast breaks and combination of Tanaka Ndyara and Tinotenda Chapfika, who can both be a menace to any team in the league. The two had a combined total of 27 baskets between them during Police’s previous league game.  Captain Thuto Shai will be another player in the Police roster to keep an eye on. Shai has for years been a dominant force in the Police roaster and led them to the 2022 championship where they defeated the Dolphins 70-50. 

The ‘Popos’, as Police V is affectionately called, will need a variety of ball handlers to help keep their pace and run their offense with almost its entire core consisting of ascending talent. The occasional shooting woes that have plagued many teams in the league have not been an issue for Police V this season and they will be hoping for a free-flow shooting showdown on Saturday.

In boxing, they say that styles make fights and if this upcoming game was taking place in the ring, one would expect a bloody canvas at the sound of the fourth quarter final buzzer.  On a good day, the Police-Dolphins match up would give spectators the most entertaining basketball there is and Saturday evening will be no exception. ENDS