Botswana Premier League
Organising bodyBotswana Football League
Founded1978 (1978)
CountryBotswana
ConfederationCAF
Number of teams16
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toDebswana First Division North
and Debswana First Division South
Domestic cup(s)FA Challenge Cup
League cup(s)Mascom Top 8 Cup
International cup(s)Champions League
Confederation Cup
Current championsJwaneng Galaxy
(2022-23)
Most championshipsTownship Rollers (16 titles)
TV partnersBTV
Current: 2023–24 Botswana Premier League

The Botswana Premier League is the highest level football league in Botswana. Organised by the Botswana Football Association, the league was formed in 1978 to replace the pre-independence Bechuanaland Union African Soccer League, which was regional.[1] Participants in the first edition of the league included Tlokweng Pirates, Notwane, Black Peril, Queens Park Rangers and a team from Ngwaketse district.[1]

The league has always been dominated by the teams that are based south of Dibete or at the southern part of the country until the 2006–07 season when Ecco City Greens made history by becoming the first team from the north to lift the lucrative competition. The league is sponsored by a mobile phone operator Be Mobile to the tune of 30 million pula. After the ABSA premiership in South Africa, the Be Mobile league is the second highest sponsored league in the COSAFA region. The league has continued to grow in leaps and bounds as shown by the increasing number of foreign players in the BPL. Some top players from mainly Zimbabwe like Arnold Chaka, Master Masitara, Elvis Meleka, Mandla Sibanda, Sageby Sandaka and Tendai Ndoro have ditched the Zimbabwean PSL for the BPL in recent years. Recently Namibian stars like Jerome Luis and Benson Shilongo arrived in Botswana in search of the Pula. After terminating their television deal with a South African company RP Productions, the league is now negotiating a long-term deal with Supersport International. In early 2013, the pay TV shown five BPL games on a testing basis.

The Botswana Football League as of July 2023 announced plans to reduce the amount of teams from 16 to 12.[2] In the 2023–24 season, 4 teams will be relegated with only 2 promoting. The following season, 2024–25, the same will be applied which leaves 12 teams in the Botswana Premier League. The main given reason is the contricted resources.

Sponsorship

Since the 1980s, the Botswana Premier League has had title sponsors. The list below details who the sponsors were and what they called the league:

Period Sponsor Name Reference
1991 to 2001 Kgalagadi Breweries Limited Castle Super League
2002 to 2005 St Louis Premiership
2006 to 2008 Mascom Mascom Premiership
2009 to 2014 Botswana Telecommunications Corporation be Mobile Premiership [3]
2014 to 2020 BTC Premiership
2021 to present No title sponsor Botswana Premier League [4][5]

Format

During the league, from August to May, each club plays each of the other teams twice; once at home and once away, totaling 30 games for each team by the end of the season. Therefore, in Botswana football a true round-robin format is used. In the first half of the season, each team plays once against each league opponent, for a total of 15 games. In the second half of the season, the teams play in exactly the same order that they did in the first half of the season, the only difference being that home and away situations are switched. Since the 1994–95 season, teams were awarded three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Since Botswana is lowly ranked in the CAF rankings only one CAF Champions League spot is awarded to the league champions. The cup winners gain a spot in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Since the 2005–06 season if two or more teams end the league with the same number of points, the deciding tie-breakers used are (in order):

  1. Head-to-head records;
  2. Goal difference of head-to-head records;
  3. Goal difference of league;
  4. Most goals for in league;
  5. Draw

Broadcasting rights

Starting from 2002–03 until 2012–13 the broadcasting rights were held by the state broadcaster Botswana Television (BTV) and its radio partner Radio Botswana (RB1). P5 million per season were paid for the rights. Broadcasting of the games was irregular as the TV showed majority of games played in and around Gaborone citing poor quality stadiums in the north. Two weekend games are shown live on TV, with midweek games being delayed.

SuperSport deal

In 2013 there was major excitement when South African broadcasting giant entered the local market. The deal saw the state broadcaster temporarily losing the rights, as a few games were shown on pay-per-view. However it was short lived as SuperSport and the BFA parted their ways. Broadcasting resumed normally on BTV and RB1.

Hourlies

Since 1980 all BPL games have been played at the same times. On Saturday most are played 15:00 pm CAT on winter and 16:00 pm CAT in summer. Few games are played at night due to poor lighting in most stadiums. In Sunday all games are played at 15:00 pm CAT or 16:00 pm CAT depending on the season.

Most in midweek games are played at 19:00 pm CAT.

Current season clubs (2023−24)

Club City / Town Position in 2022-23
Botswana Defence Force XIGaborone10th
Eleven AngelsFrancistown6th
Gaborone UnitedGaborone2nd
Holy GhostGaborone13th
Jwaneng GalaxyJwaneng1st
MasitaokaGaborone7th
Matebele FCMatebelengPromoted
Morupule WanderersPalapye12th
Nico UnitedSelebi-Phikwe11th
Orapa UnitedOrapa3rd
Police XIOtse9th
Security SystemsOtse5th
Sua FlamingoesSowa8th
TAFICFrancistownPromoted
Township RollersGaborone4th
VTM FCGaboronePromoted

Champions

Previous champions are:[6]

Past seasons

Season Winner Runner-up Relegated at end of season Promoted at end of season
1978 Notwane
1979 Township Rollers
1980 Township Rollers
1981 BDF XI Extension Gunners
1982 Township Rollers
1983 Township Rollers
1984 Township Rollers
1985 Township Rollers
1986 Gaborone United
1987 Township Rollers
1988 BDF XI Extension Gunners Copper Chiefs
Kanye Swallows
Tlokweng Pirates
Uniao Flamengo Santos
1989 BDF XI
1990 Gaborone United Mochudi Centre Chiefs Nico United
1991 BDF XI
1992 LCS Gunners TAFIC Jwaneng Comets Mogoditshane Fighters
1993 LCS Gunners Gaborone United Mogoditshane Fighters
Prisons XI
Jwaneng Comets
1994 LCS Gunners Township Rollers Prisons XI
Wonder Sporting
Mochudi Centre Chiefs
Jwaneng Comets
1995 Township Rollers
1996 Notwane PG Mochudi Centre Chiefs TASC
Boteti Young Fighters
Mogoditshane Fighters
TAFIC
1997 BDF XI Gaborone United BMC
Nico United
Mokgosi Young Fighters
TASC
1998 Notwane BDF XI TASC
Mokgosi Young Fighters
Satmos
Jwaneng Comets
1998–99 Mogoditshane Fighters BDF XI No relegation
1999–2000 Mogoditshane Fighters Mochudi Centre Chiefs Gaborone United
Prisons XI
Botswana Meat Commission
TASC
2000–01 Mogoditshane Fighters BDF XI Botswana Meat Commission
Satmos
2001–02 BDF XI Mogoditshane Fighters Nico United
Township Rollers
2002–03 Mogoditshane Fighters Police XI
2003–04 BDF XI Police XI Wonder Sporting
Mochudi Center Chiefs
Nico United
Gabane Santos
2004–05 Township Rollers Police XI Uniao Flamengo Santos
TAFIC
Orapa Wanderers
Naughty Boys
2005–06 Police XI BDF XI Mogoditshane Fighters
Naughty Boys
Mosquito
Jwaneng Comets
2006–07 ECCO City Greens Mochudi Centre Chiefs Prisons XI
Satmos
2007–08 Mochudi Centre Chiefs Gaborone United TASC
Jwaneng Comets
2008–09 Gaborone United Mochudi Centre Chiefs Mogoditshane Fighters
Great North Tigers
Naughty Boys
Jwaneng Comets
Motlakase Power Dynamos
2009–10 Township Rollers Mochudi Centre Chiefs Killer Giants
Jwaneng Comets
Boteti Young Fighters
TASC
2010–11 Township Rollers Mochudi Centre Chiefs TASC
Black Peril FC
Mogoditshane Fighters
Satmos
2011–12 Mochudi Centre Chiefs Botswana Meat Commission Notwane F.C.
Great North Tigers
Satmos
Motlakase
Prisons XI
BR Highlanders
2012–13 Mochudi Centre Chiefs Nico United Prisons XI
Mogoditshane Fighters
BR Highlanders
2013–14 Township Rollers BDF XI
2014–15 Mochudi Centre Chiefs Orapa United
2015–16 Township Rollers Mochudi Centre Chiefs Motlakase Power Dynamos
BR Highlanders
Satmos
Black Forest
2016–17 Township Rollers Jwaneng Galaxy Nico United
Green Lovers
Mahalapye United Hotspurs
2017–18 Township Rollers Jwaneng Galaxy TAFIC
Uniao Flamengo Santos
Gilport Lions
Notwane
BR Highlanders
Prisons XI
2018–19 Township Rollers Jwaneng Galaxy Mochudi Centre Chiefs
Black Forest
Sankoyo Bush Bucks
Gilport Lions
Morupule Wanderers FC
TAFIC
2019–20 Jwaneng Galaxy Township Rollers TAFIC
Miscellaneous
Masitaoka
Sua Flamingos
2020–21 cancelled due COVID-19
2021–22 Gaborone United[7] Township Rollers Notwane FC
Gilport Lions
Botswana Railways
Eleven Angels
Nico United
Holy Ghost
2022-23 Jwaneng Galaxy Gaborone United Prisons XI
Extension Gunners
Mogoditshane Fighters
TAFIC FC
Matebele FC
VTM FC

Manager records

League winning managers

Season Winner Manager
1979 Township Rollers Zaire Chibaso Kande
1980 Township Rollers Zaire Chibaso Kande
1982 Township Rollers Zaire Chibaso Kande
1983 Township Rollers Zaire Chibaso Kande
1984 Township Rollers Zaire Chibaso Kande
1985 Township Rollers Zaire Chibaso Kande
1986 Gaborone United South Africa Thomas Johnson
1987 Township Rollers Zimbabwe Ezekiel Mpofu
1990 Gaborone United England Arthur James
1999 Mogoditshane Fighters Botswana David Bright
1999–2000 Mogoditshane Fighters Botswana David Bright
2000–01 Mogoditshane Fighters Botswana David Bright
2005–06 Police XI Botswana Sthandwa Mogwadi
2007–08 Mochudi Centre Chiefs Zambia Beston Chambeshi
2008–09 Gaborone United Zambia Mike Sithole
2009–10 Township Rollers Zimbabwe Rahman Gumbo
2010–11 Township Rollers Zambia Wesley Mondo
2011–12 Mochudi Centre Chiefs Zimbabwe Madinda Ndlovu
2012–13 Mochudi Centre Chiefs Zimbabwe Madinda Ndlovu
2013–14 Township Rollers Zimbabwe Madinda Ndlovu
2015–16 Township Rollers England Mark Harrison
2016–17 Township Rollers Botswana Mogomotsi Mpote
2017–18 Township Rollers Serbia Nikola Kavazovic
2018–19 Township Rollers Argentina Rodolfo Zapata
2019–20 Jwaneng Galaxy Portugal Miguel da Costa
2021-22 Gaborone United Botswana Innocent Morapedi
2022-23 Jwaneng Galaxy South Africa Morena Ramoreboli

Coach of the Season

Season Winner Team
2007–08 Zambia Mike Sithole Gaborone United
2011–12 Botswana Daniel Nare BMC
2012–13 Zimbabwe Madinda Ndlovu Mochudi Centre Chiefs
2015–16 England Mark Harrison Township Rollers
2016–17 Botswana Mogomotsi Mpote Township Rollers
2017–18 Serbia Nikola Kavazovic Township Rollers
2018–19 Argentina Rodolfo Zapata Township Rollers
2019–20 Portugal Miguel da Costa Jwaneng Galaxy

Performance By Club

Club City Titles Last Title
Township RollersGaborone162018–19
Gaborone UnitedGaborone72021–22
Botswana Defence Force XIMogoditshane72003–04
Mogoditshane FightersMogoditshane42003
Mochudi Centre ChiefsMochudi42014–15
Extension GunnersLobatse31994
NotwaneGaborone31998
Jwaneng GalaxyJwaneng22022-23
ECCO City GreensFrancistown12006–07
Police XIOtse12005–06

Topscorers

Year Best scorers Team Goals
2005–06 Botswana Malepa BolelangECCO City Greens24
2006–07 Botswana Pontsho MoloiMochudi Centre Chiefs22
2007–08 Zimbabwe Master Masitara
Botswana Jerome Ramatlhakwane
Nico United
Mochudi Centre Chiefs
18
2008–09 Zimbabwe Master MasitaraNico United27
2009–10 Zimbabwe Terrence MandazaTownship Rollers31
2011–12 Botswana Pontsho MoloiMochudi Centre Chiefs
2012–13 Botswana Pontsho MoloiMochudi Centre Chiefs
2013–14 Zambia Patrick KaundaFC Satmos20
2014–15 Botswana Lemponye TshireletsoMochudi Centre Chiefs15
2015–16 Zimbabwe Tendai NyamadzawoGilport Lions19
2016–17 Zimbabwe Terrence MandazaTownship Rollers17
2017–18 Botswana Thatayaone KgamanyaneGaborone United20
2018–19 Botswana Thero SetsileJwaneng Galaxy18
2021–22 Botswana Thabang Sesinyi Jwaneng Galaxy 24
2022–23 Botswana Omaatla Kebatho Orapa United 23

Player of the Season

Year Player of the Season Team
2005–06 Botswana Moemedi MoatlhapingTownship Rollers
2006–07 Botswana Malepa BolelangECCO City Greens
2007–08 Botswana Oteng MoalosiMochudi Centre Chiefs
2008–09 Botswana Joseph PhetogoGaborone United
2009–10 Botswana Kabelo DambeTownship Rollers
2013–14 Botswana Mwampule MasuleTownship Rollers
2014–15 Botswana Lesego GalenamotlhaleMochudi Centre Chiefs
2017–18 Botswana Edwin MoalosiTownship Rollers
2018–19 Botswana Thero SetsileJwaneng Galaxy

Team locations

Stadiums and locations

Locations of teams in the 2023–24 Botswana Premier League

References

  1. 1 2 "Notwane on the brink of disaster". The Gazette. 18 June 2015.
  2. Staff Writer (2023-07-06). "Sebego baffled by Premier League's decision to downsize". Mmegi Online. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  3. Molwane, Tshepo (2008-11-11). "Botswana: Be Mobile Sponsors Premier League". allAfrica.com.
  4. Boranabi, Kabelo (2021-06-15). "No sponsor, return date yet for Premiership". Mmegi Online.
  5. Keagakwa, City (2022-08-26). "BFL confident of league sponsorship". Guardian Sun.
  6. "Botswana - List of Champions". RSSSF. 2010.
  7. "Resumo - Premier League - Botsuana - Results, fixtures, tables and news - Soccerway".
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