With just nine games to go, the 2024/25 FNBB Premiership title race is too close to call, setting up what promises to be a nail-biting photo finish.
Leading the Pack
Township Rollers currently lead the pack with 42 points after 21 games, but their advantage is razor-thin. Tafic and defending champions, Jwaneng Galaxy, are hot on their heels with 41 points each. Tafic edges ahead of Galaxy on goal difference (+19), making every upcoming fixture a must-win encounter.
Another league contender, Gaborone United, occupies position four with 39 points, with Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the mix following a 1-0 victory of ‘The Reds’, which propelled them to 38 points in position five. With all four teams standing a chance to clinch the championship, Rollers’ nine games include three title-deciding games against GU, Tafic, and Mochudi Centre Chiefs, which they will play at home, therefore enjoying home-ground advantage. It is only the Galaxy game that Popa will play away, though it also holds great significance in the title race.
According to football analyst Thato Kgosimore, with only nine games remaining, mathematically seven teams stand a chance to be crowned champions this season. “Depending on the pedigree of some teams in the top seven, we are going to experience a great breathtaking finish. Eventually, we’re going to have a three-horse race as some clubs crack and get fatigued at this most important period of the season due to injuries – players getting worn out due to too many games,” explained Kgosimore.
Though they are not clear contenders, Sua Flamingoes and Morupule Wanderers are close by and lie in wait for the big giants to lose points and capitalize on moving up the ladder in the standings. Both northern teams are on 36 points each, with Nikola Kavazovic’s Sua better on goal difference.
“Sua Flamingoes has been good ever since Nikola took over the reigns, they are doing well and they are scoring goals. Same thing goes to Morupule Wanderers, who are doing well after Coach Agang Mogotsi took management of the team. Defending champions also stand a great chance even though they parted ways with their new coach. Coach Seemo Mpatane, together with the players he is having, can push all the way through to the end for the silverware. As for GU and Rollers, a lot is going on at the clubs, supporters are not happy with the new mentor and it’s late to acquire a new coach at the moment, with only nine games to go,” said Kgosimore. Following the departure of Pontsho Moloi at GU, the club moved swiftly to replace him with Dimitar Pantev from Bulgaria, while Rollers engaged the services of Abdelaziz Karkache mid-season.
