Township Rollers, undeniably Botswana’s crown jewel of football and a club that commands fierce loyalty, now finds itself caught in one of the stormiest stretches in its storied modern history. For decades, Mapalastina – the club’s hallowed home ground, stood tall as a beacon of local football glory.
This was more than just a team; it was a juggernaut powered by a steady stream of trophies, a galaxy of star players, and, crucially, rock-solid financial backing that kept the club flourishing on and off the pitch. But today, that once unshakable foundation looks like it’s crumbling beneath their feet. What started as small cracks in the club’s armor have widened into gaping fissures threatening to topple the entire establishment.
The rapid and painful decline of Township Rollers has played out in full view, watched with growing unease by fans and critics alike. In just two seasons, this titan of Botswana football has gone from hosting wealthy investors and confident, forward-thinking leadership to floundering in near chaos. The club now finds itself mired in governance turmoil and financial chaos, a crisis that exploded with the dramatic ouster of former chairperson Bafana Phempheretlhe Pheto and his entire committee; a clear sign of deep unrest at the club’s helm.
On October 11, the club held a highly charged Special General Assembly in Palapye, a gathering insiders have dubbed a pivotal, make-or-break moment. The air was thick with tension and high expectations. The meeting unfolded under the shadow of a formal State of Emergency imposed on the club; a drastic, unprecedented move reflecting the severe instability gnawing at its core. This emergency led to the recall of both the Executive Committee (EXCO) and the National Branches Committee (NBC), the usual powerhouses steering the club’s operations. Such a sweeping shake-up is almost unheard of in Botswana football and laid bare just how deep the rot had set in.
The roots of Township Rollers’ troubles run deep and tangled. Chief among them is a revolving door of investors who’ve failed to provide steady financial support. Debts have piled up like a house of cards ready to collapse. Bills remain unpaid – including staff salaries and service providers – while bitter internal power struggles have drained the club’s focus and energy. This mess didn’t appear overnight. It traces back to the departure of longtime benefactor Jagdish Shah, whose financial muscle had been the bedrock of the club’s success for years. Since his exit, Rollers has been fighting tooth and nail just to stay afloat, largely relying on the goodwill and donations of die-hard supporters who refuse to see their beloved club go under.
The situation took a nosedive when FIFA slapped Township Rollers with a harsh transfer ban. The club is barred from registering new players for three consecutive transfer windows due to unresolved claims. This sanction has crippled the technical team, leaving them powerless to refresh or strengthen the squad. More than just a practical blow, the ban has stained the club’s reputation – once hailed as a model of professionalism at home and across the continent. For Rollers, this marks a bitter turning point.
SunBet cuts ties as crisis deepens
Just when things couldn’t look bleaker, Rollers took another hit as betting giant SunBet Botswana confirmed it would not renew its sponsorship, a partnership that had been one of the club’s financial lifelines.
This decision lands at a time when the country’s most decorated football club is in the throes of internal upheaval, with resignations of key officials exposing deep divides over governance, financial management, and accountability.
In a termination letter dated May 24, 2026, and obtained by this publication, SunBet Botswana Country Manager Tsholofelo Makgoeng confirmed the company’s decision not to exercise its option to extend the sponsorship deal.
“In line with Clause 4 of the Agreement, this notice serves to confirm that SunBet Botswana (Pty) Ltd will not be exercising its option to renew the Sponsorship Agreement,” the letter states. The deal officially expires on July 31, 2026, ending a commercial relationship valued at 1.5 million Pula per season.
Makgoeng instructed that all SunBet branding, including stadium adverts, digital platforms, social media, and marketing materials must be stripped before the contract ends, unless both parties come to a different written agreement. The company also demanded an immediate halt to the use of the SunBet name, logo, and other intellectual property following the expiration date. “Any rights to use SunBet’s name, logo or branding will end on the Termination Date. Township Rollers must discontinue any use of SunBet intellectual property thereafter unless otherwise agreed in writing. SunBet will similarly cease using Township Rollers’ intellectual property where applicable,” the notice reads.
Both parties are tasked with wrapping up any outstanding contractual responsibilities before the agreement ends, and ensuring future public communications clearly state that the sponsorship has officially ended. SunBet’s exit lands during a particularly rough patch for Rollers, with governance issues spilling into public view.
Meanwhile, documents obtained by WeekendSport reveal that club Treasurer Tshepo Mathumo resigned on June 10, citing a persistent breakdown of trust, accountability, and transparency within the executive committee.
In a scathing resignation letter, Mathumo said she could no longer serve in an environment where financial decisions were routinely made without involving the very office charged with safeguarding the club’s funds.
“Since assuming this role, I have sought to uphold the principles of transparency, financial accountability and responsible stewardship of the club’s resources,” she wrote. “However, I have become increasingly concerned by the manner in which financial and administrative matters have been handled, including instances where decisions with financial implications have been made without my involvement or consultation despite my responsibility as Treasurer.”
Mathumo went on to say that club employees, creditors, and stakeholders frequently came to her for answers on financial decisions she wasn’t even aware of. This put her in an impossible spot, expected to explain choices she had no hand in making.
She also blasted the executive committee’s culture of confidentiality, saying repeated leaks of internal discussions had shattered trust among members. “I no longer feel able to participate freely and candidly within committee structures due to a loss of confidence in the confidentiality of committee deliberations,” she said.
According to Mathumo, information from committee meetings kept leaking out, creating an atmosphere where members couldn’t speak openly. She also raised alarms over the handling of unpaid debts and other financial obligations, saying there seemed to be no urgency or shared responsibility to settle the club’s dues.
The cumulative effect of poor governance, financial exclusion, unresolved debts, and constant breaches of confidentiality left her no choice but to step down.
Her resignation comes hot on the heels of longtime General Manager Sydney Magagane’s departure, effective May 31, after years steering the club’s administration.
Rollers confirmed Magagane’s exit with an official statement signed by club communications officer Pabalinga, announcing that Secretary General Ofentse Mosekiemang would take over official communications until a replacement is found.
The back-to-back exits of two senior officials, combined with the loss of a major commercial partner, paint a worrying picture for a club once regarded as the gold standard of Botswana football.
Though SunBet framed its decision as a contractual non-renewal rather than a breach-related termination, its withdrawal leaves Rollers facing an uphill battle to replace a major sponsor amid a tricky economic landscape.
For a club already wrestling with governance challenges and internal strife, finding new commercial backing will be a steep climb unless trust is rebuilt both inside and outside the boardroom.
With the new football season looming, Rollers now face one of the most critical rebuilding efforts in recent memory; not just on the pitch, but in the very structures that keep one of Botswana’s biggest sporting brands alive.