10 Aug 2025

Gaborone United is the champion of the inaugural Sunbet Charity Cup following a hard fought 2-0 victory over arch rivals Township Rollers nudging them further ahead as the most dominant team in the Gaborone derby.

Goals from Omphile Ramoagi and Mpho Kgaswane in each half handed “The Reds” the city bragging rights.

With the hype and thrill leading to the derby, the game was worthy of the build up with both teams technically balanced, approaching the game with a 4-3-3 formations. The odds were nonetheless slightly on GU’s favour owing to the array of superstars in their camp this season.

The much-anticipated derby between the two old-time rivals ignited the yesteryear spark that the fixture is renowned for as the duo’s level of rancor towards one another was protracted during the Saturday encounter.

In the past, heavyweight showdowns that received big build up had failed to deliver but that nonetheless has not often been the case with this particular rivalry and once again players delivered an exhilarating spectacle.

Though a preseason encounter, the match lived up to its billing right from the first whistle with GU dominating with the early possession, gained a 36^th minute lead with Ramoagi lobbing over Kabelo Dambe.

The tempo was relentless, the action gripping and the momentum shifted from end to end the entire match duration with GU having an upper hand going into the halftime break. There was so much to play for in the second half and Rollers came on with much vigour with their raucous crowd fully behind them sensing that GU were dropping the tempo.

Rollers were however sloppy at the back and the absence of the tried and tested center -back Mosha Gaolaolwe was evident as Kgaswane solidifying GU’s lead with a well taken shot from a distance to put the game beyond Rollers reach in 58^th minute .

GU showed their mettle and dominated possession particularly in the middle field, which was marshaled by seasoned campaigners in Lebogang Ditsele and Karabo Phiri.

‘Popa’ as  Rollers is affectionately called were nonetheless far from their best, with an inexperience bench and lack of game breakers and X-factor players following the decamping of the experienced trio of Segolame Boy, Motsholetsi Sikele and Mogakolodi Ngele.

Meanwhile, in another preseason charity tournament played at Lobatse stadium on Saturday, Dinare FC where crowned the JB spot charity winners after a 1-0 victory over Mochudi Center Chiefs. ENDS