Category: Sports

Botswana Table Tennis (BTTA) has gathered a provisional team of young players, who will form the basis of selection for the youth national team that will represent the country at the WTT Youth Contender in Gaborone from November 11 to 14.

The selection process, which was held over the weekend at three locations being Maun, Mabeleapudi and Gaborone, has been hailed as a success by BTTA development coordinator, Godirileone Bagwasi.

Bagwasi said he was satisfied by the turnout and level of participation as the young players displayed skills and showed eagerness to represent the country. “We are very pleased with how the selection exercise went across all centres,” he said.

Bagwasi said the level of competition was high, and noted that taking the selection to different regions allowed BTTA to reach more players and ensure inclusivity, which is a key part of the development strategy.

The selection camps saw 78 youth players gathered, with one vision of making it to the national youth team. The process saw 12 players, six girls and six boys going past the highly contended selection process.

In the boys category, Leatlo Gabakgore, Katlo Kgosietsile, Kgotla Thebeyame, Tebogo Kotopo, Thato Kgongwana and Tinashe Dzvaka made it to the provisional team and are now one step closer to the youth national team.

For the youth girls category, Oratile Lekgethiso, Jwame Mojuta, Kgotso Kootsene, Abigail Molaba, Carol David and Stephaney Batsholeng made it through.

“The selected players, together with our top-ranked youth players being Boitlamo Nkele and Reneilwe Lekorwe for the girls and boys categories respectively, will be invited for a training camp for the final selection phase,” said Bagwasi.

He said the camps would assist to evaluate performance, discipline and readiness toward the final youth national team selection

Gaborone United on Saturday afternoon won the capital city bragging rights, as the Reds put their old nemesis, Township Rollers to the sword with a 3-1 triumph in the FNB Premiership at the Royal Aria Stadium in Tlokweng.
A Mpho Kgaswane brace and a spectacular Ibrohim Youssouf volley gave the Reds the Gaborone Derby victory, in an evenly matched contest separated by GU being clinical in front ot goal.
GU were ahead thorough Kgaswane as early as the 10thminute, setting the tone for an afternoon of glory for the Red half of town.
Rollers still made a contest of it. The Blues managed to pose a threat with attacking forays on the right sided channels, Lemogang Maswena’s overlapping play getting a few balls into the GU danger zone.
But Popa were let down by being lacklustre and indecisive whenever they got the ball into the opposition box.
On the stroke of half time, it would be GU striking again, Ibrohim Youssouf controlling with his chest then scoring a stunning volley on the turn, handing the Reds a 2-0 half time lead.
In the 48th minute, Rollers showed attacking intent and scored through youngster Kago Sesinyi, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and setting up a mouthwatering second half.
The two sides played a high tempo match as Rollers sought the equaliser while GU looked for a cushion third.
GU left back Mothusi Johnson hit the upright with a well taken free kick with 15 minutes to spare.
A minute before time, Rollers won a free kick on the GU side of the field. As the Blues tried to take a quick free kick, GU intercepted play and in counter attacking transition play, Kgaswane scored past Kabelo Dambe.
That 89th minute goal sent GU fans into wild celebrations as the Reds emerged 3-1 winners.
GU end the FNB Premiership first round unbeaten, top of the log with 39 points from 15 matches. ENDS

Premier League pacesetters Gaborone United (GU) and second-placed Jwaneng Galaxy played out a goalless draw on Wednesday night at the UB Stadium, a thrilling spectacle despite the lack of goals.

A crowd packed to the rafters as the two title contenders locked horns, witnessing an enthralling contest that unfortunately lacked the final touch in front of goal.

GU adopted a cautious approach, with man of the match Lebogang Ditsele dictating play from a deep-lying midfield role. The Reds preferred patient build-ups from the back, retaining possession in midfield with only occasional forward forays.

Galaxy showed greater attacking intent but were let down by Lesotho international winger Neo Mokhachane, an otherwise skilful player whose tendency to hold on to the ball too long slowed down attacks and allowed the GU defence time to recover.

The visitors attacked mainly from the wings. While Mokhachane’s right flank proved less effective, Kgotso Radithongwa was a constant threat on the left, repeatedly troubling GU right-back Alford Velaphi.

Early in the contest, GU’s tricky youngster Omphile “Pist” Ramoagi attempted to break the deadlock, but Galaxy goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko was equal to the task.

Midway through a first half of scant opportunities, GU goalkeeper Thabo Motswagole threw his body on the line alongside his defenders to block a series of Galaxy shots during a goalmouth scramble.

At the other end, Galaxy’s Manda Nonto was cautioned for a challenge as GU attempted to break through the visitors’ defensive lines.

Towards the break, Phoko went down to pull a save off of Ditsele as the match went into recess goalless.

Both technical teams made tactical substitutions in the second half to introduce fresh legs. GU brought on Godfrey Tauyatswala and Obry Amseb for Sheikh Sesay and Omphile Ramoagi, while Galaxy introduced Onkabetse Makgantai and Dynamo Fredericks in place of Thabang Sesinyi and Nongo.

Late in the match, Omaatla Kebatho tried his luck from distance, but his ambitious effort sailed just over the crossbar.

GU remained top of the log with 36 points from 14 games, while Galaxy stayed second on 33 points from the same number of matches.

Unbeaten GU now face traditional city rivals Township Rollers in a mouth-watering Gaborone Derby at Royal Aria Stadium in Tlokweng on Saturday in the pick of the weekend fixtures as the first round draws to a conclusion

Newly appointed Township Rollers chairperson, Fish Pabalinga, has outlined an ambitious roadmap to restore the club’s prestige with focus on three core pillars which include stability, competitiveness and modernisation.

Addressing a press conference on January 19, Pabalinga committed his executive committee and management to returning Township Rollers, alias Popa, to its rightful place at the summit of Botswana football.

To signal a new era of professionalism, Pabalinga announced several key operational upgrades, including securing a technical partner in Umbro with the new kit expected to arrive in the country within four weeks.

On one hand, DC Tours will provide team transportation, while on the other hand, Emergency Assist has been brought on board to manage the club’s medical requirements.

In effort to increase efficiency, the club is in talks with a professional ticketing company.

“The era of selling tickets from car boots must come to an end,” Pabalinga said, emphasising the need for transparency and easy access for supporters.

To prevent a repeat of past issues, Pabalinga announced the opening of a new bank account to ensure traceable financial management.

The club has also partnered with an external accounting and audit firm to instil discipline and produce audited statements in strict accordance with the Township Rollers Constitution.

Earlier, Pabalinga apologised to stakeholders for the club’s failure to honour a fixture last year, saying the incident was an eyesore to the club’s reputation.

“The disruption was regrettable and we assure all stakeholders that such an occurrence will never happen again,” he said.

He further apologised to the players, technical staff and their families regarding delayed payments, noting that such financial struggles did not reflect the values of the institution.

Meanwhile, known for trophies and a huge and passionate following, the recent past has been uncharacteristically sombre for Popa.

From missed fixtures to internal financial struggles, the decorated club found itself veering away from the very ideals that built its legend.

While he acknowledged that the club has recently veered away from its founding ideals, Pabalinga paid tribute to past investors, committees and sponsors who built the most decorated club in the country.

“Township Rollers may not currently be at its best, but it would be unjust to define the club by moments of difficulty alone. All is not lost,” Pabalinga said.

Botswana’s motor biker Ross Branch known as the ‘Ferrari of the Kalahari’ left Botswana’s flag waving with pride along the shores of the Red Sea on Saturday after making a stunning overall finish at the just ended 2026 FIA/FIM World Dakar Rally-Raid Championship. 
‎Powered by Hero Motosport Team Rally, the Ross clinched an 8th overall finish as a result of his top notch riding spectacle marked by consistency, bravery and commitment beating all the odds that he encountered along the hostile terrains across the Arab Desert.
‎Ross wrapped up all the 13 stages that were a complete puzzle of the most adventurous and the world’s greatest desert rally-raid that was raced in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.
‎It was a bravo for Ross on Saturday noon upon completion of a fortnight long 8000km of riding his Hero 450 Rally two wheeler in the wilderness in search for the crown.
‎This is a great achievement that Ross’s manager Aimee Branch described as an incredible grit and heart through the setbacks thrown his way, and some well-earned, valuable World Rally-Raid Championship points.
‎“It is not what we wanted to be, obviously we wanted to be fighting for the top but that is Dakar rally and it happens.
‎I thank the entire team for they have been incredible and the bike has been amazing,” she sai said.
‎Ross’s teammate, Ignacio Cornej from Chile finished seventh.
‎The duo both shared big times during this year’s episode with Ross having a bullish start winning stage 1 before he was penalised for over speeding and later lost further time due to tyre damage in stage 5.
‎Cornejo dazzled Hero’s fans as he finished second in stage 5.
‎The 2026 Dakar rally-raid edition saw 115 bikers setting in at stage 1 but only 99 bikers managed to reach the finishing point.
‎These statistics are a clear affidavit that Ross, the former crown bearer of the 2024 rally extravaganza, is not just a regular contester but a world champion. 
‎Argentina’s Luciano Benavides pounced into the finishing arch taking benefit of a navigation error made by Ricky Brabec, that haunted the American rider 3km before the finishing point coercing him to aggressively wrangled behind Benavides to at least sustain a runner up podium calling.
‎The last rider to ascend the podium was the Spanish rider Tosha Schareina who has been the talk of the rally due to his spectacular form throughout the marathon only to loose the momentum in the latest stages of the race
‎The 2025 champion from Australia, Daniel Sanders, the Monster Energy Honda Team rider, was dethroned as his Honda bike arrived fifth, a proof that this audacious cross-country orgy is more like a book without a title.
‎In the cars category the ultimate category winners were the Qatari driver Nasser Al-Attiyah for Dacia Sand riders, marking his sixth Dakar Rally victory while the Spaniard, Nani Roma, masterly drove his Ford Raptor making proud the Ford-M-sport team as he ascended the podium as a runner up ahead of teammate from Sweden Mattias Ekstrom, also steering for the Ford, landed on spot number three

The Branch family has decided to auction the outfit that Botswana’s rally rider, Ross Branch wears at the ongoing Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia. His manager Aimee Branch said their family decided to auction the rally outfit given the significance that such an act would have.“Ross and I decided to auction the suit at the end of the Dakar Rally 2026 because we felt its true value lies in giving back. Proceeds from the auction will go toward supporting children’s education in Botswana,” revealed Aimee.Aimee, who is also wife to Branch, said the special significance of Ross Branch’s Dakar cold-weather suit lied entirely in its design and meaning, rather than from the materials from which it was made.She said the design was a one-of-a-kind; being visual collage made up of drawings created by children from schools and playgroups across Botswana, based on the theme: What Botswana means to You.“Each drawing represents a child’s view of home, culture, wildlife, and dreams. Together, they form a deeply personal artwork that Ross will carry with him during Dakar,” Aimee said.She said the materials and technical specifications were not the focus of the project. The suit, she said, itself met Dakar regulations and performance requirements, but the story behind it was about representation, creativity and purpose, no fabric or construction details. T he suit was produced by MIRA Active Wear in Cape Town, Sout h Africa, in close collaboration with Branch and his team.Aimee said like all professional Dakar gear, the suit was designed for extreme cold conditions and rider comfort.She however revealed that what truly stood out for Branch was the emotional connection; carrying a piece of home and the voices of children from Botswana with him during one of the toughest races in the world. “Th e motivation was to allow Ross to represent Botswana in a meaningful, authentic way – not just through the flag or colours, but through the creativity of its children. We wanted the suit to tell a story of home, pride, and possibility,” she said. Aimee also said the concept originated with Gerrit and the MIRA Active Wear team, and the artwork was created entirely by children across Botswana. She said herself and the ‘Kalahari Ferrari’ alias, Branch had worked closely with the team and schools to bring the final vision together. It is worth, she added, cannot be measured by material cost and it is priceless because of the stories, creativity and purpose it represents.

Botswana will from January 9 host the 2026 International Tennis Federation (ITF)/Confederation of African Tennis (CAT) Southern Africa Junior Championships, which will run until January 17 in Gaborone.

The zonal tournament features Under-14 and Under-16 players competing in both individual and team events, bringing together some of the region’s most promising young tennis talent.

Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) vice president Nonofo Othusitse said the championship was expected to attract about 150 players and coaches from across Southern Africa.

Participating countries that have confirmed their att endance include Angola, eSwatini, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Othusitse said Botswana, as the host nation, was allowed to register up to six players per age group and gender, while other participating countries were limited to three players each, adding that Botswana would be represented in both the Under-14 and Under-16 team competitions for boys and girls. “In preparation for the championship, our players att ended training camps held from December 15 to 19, and from January 5 to 8,” he said.

Othusitse noted that hosting the tournament aligned with the Botswana National Sport Commission (BNSC) 2028 str ategy and the BTA’s str ategic objective of attracting and hosting high-profile sporting events.

He said the championship provided an opportunity for Botswana to demonstrate its commitment to youth development and sporting excellence, while also boosting tourism and international visibility as families, coaches and officials travel to support the athletes.

Othusitse also said the event was also expected to inspire local players through exposure to high-level competition and str engthen regional ties. “It will further enhance Botswana’s reputation as a capable and welcoming host of internati onal sporti ng events,” he said. 

Tennis player Seabo Saleshando has joined Morningside University in Sioux City, United States of America, under a partial scholarship arrangement.

According to Botswana Tennis Association (BTA) president Oaitse Thipe, the arrangement would see the 19-year-old studying and playing college tennis for the Morningside University team.

Thipe further said in an interview that Esi Molefe was also expected to sign for Chicago State University on a partial scholarship.

He said the prospect of playing college tennis in the USA was a welcome development for the duo, since it would keep them busy and competitive.

“College tennis is very important because it balances education and the tournaments. The Universities are able to take care of players, take them to all the tournaments, and provide them with physiotherapists,” he said.

Thipe also said the level of tournaments in the USA college tennis system was good, adding that they stood a chance of being given wild card slots for higher tournaments like the USA Open.

“That is why we use it as a pathway to get our players to play Pro tennis,” he said.

Thipe said 99 per cent of the Botswana team was now based in the USA.

After an impressive start in the prologue and stage 1 of this year’s Dakar Rally, Botswana rider Ross Branch on Monday clocked seventh position on Stage 2 of the motorbike category in the race currently ongoing in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia.

Dubbed the Ferrari of the Kalahari, Branch on Sunday became the fastest competitor in Stage 1, but was however given a six-minute penalty which relegated him from first to seventh position.

The Hero MotoSports runner, who made his eighth appearance at the rally, was penalised for speeding as there are some sections on the route demarcated as low speed zones.

Branch’s best performance was in 2024 when he came second overall, delivering a historic podium finish.

The 48th Dakar Rally, held from January 3 to 17, will see competitors tackle 13 special stages across Saudi Arabia including two marathon stages where riders will camp in the desert with limited support.

After losing its first two matches of the 2025 CAF Africa Cup Of Nations in Morocco, Botswana is expected to reignite its stripes against the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Tuesday night.

The two countries will clash at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat at 8:30pm, with the Zebras bottom of Group D after losing 3-0 to Senegal and 1-0 to Benin.

In the Leopards of DRC who held Senegal to a 1-1 draw on Saturday, they will be facing another stubborn opponent.

Zebras head coach, Morena Ramoreboli acknowledged in an interview that DRC were a very competitive team.

He said DRC were on the same level with Senegal in terms of the quality of players.

Ramoreboli said they wanted to claim victory against the Leopards and in the process become the first generation of Zebras players to have won an AFCON finals match.

Their plan, he said, was to defend well and not to concede the same number of goals like the previous team, because that would be a gauge for them whether they had improved.

“It is just unfortunate that we found ourselves playing against a strong team, which is saying to us, are we going back home without scoring a goal and even without a single point, so all this are very important for us to make sure that we try to come up with a strategy that will give us something,” he said.

He said the most important thing during the game would be to eliminate mistakes and make sure that they returned home with their heads held high.