Township Rollers’ troubled start to the 2026-27 FNB Premiership season has once again exposed the challenges facing one of Botswana’s biggest football clubs, with the 16-time champions now racing to have a FIFA registration ban lifted.
The latest setback unfolded in Jwaneng on Saturday when Rollers’ league match against Jwaneng Galaxy was abandoned minutes following kick-off after the visitors were reduced to six players.
Popa travelled to Jwaneng with only seven players available for selection after a fresh FIFA registration ban prevented the club from registering new signings ahead of the season.
The situation left the Gaborone giants short of personnel and ultimately led to the match being called off when one of the players suffered an injury.
The latest FIFA sanction stems from a dispute involving former Rollers defender Thabiso Mokenkoane, a 33-year-old South African who previously played for University of Pretoria.
Mokenkoane’s contract was terminated last season, prompting the player to challenge the decision with assistance from the Footballers Union of South Africa (FUSA). According to FUSA secretary-general Taelo Motloung, efforts to resolve the matter directly with Rollers were unsuccessful before the case was escalated to FIFA.
“Thabiso Mokenkoane had his contract terminated by Township Rollers last season, and he challenged the decision,” Motloung said.
“He came to FUSA for assistance, and we were keen to help. We sent a letter of demand to the club requesting payment of what was due to the player, but we received no co-operation.”
The club failed to settle the amount within the stipulated period, triggering the registration ban. The sanction prevented Rollers from registering players both domestically and internationally and could remain in place for up to three consecutive registration windows unless the debt is settled. FIFA had also instructed the Botswana Football Association (BFA) to enforce the ban locally, increasing pressure on the club’s administration. The Mokenkoane case is not the only dispute threatening to deepen Rollers’ difficulties.
FIFA subsequently ruled in Mokenkoane’s favour, ordering Rollers to pay approximately R98,000 within 45 days.
The club failed to settle the amount within the stipulated period, triggering the registration ban. The sanction prevented Rollers from registering players both domestically and internationally and could remain in place for up to three consecutive registration windows unless the debt is settled. FIFA had also instructed the Botswana Football Association (BFA) to enforce the ban locally, increasing pressure on the club’s administration. The Mokenkoane case is not the only dispute threatening to deepen Rollers’ difficulties.
Former Orlando Pirates winger Thabo Rakhale has also lodged a complaint through FUSA over alleged unpaid salaries and an outstanding signing-on fee. Rakhale joined Rollers in 2023 and quickly became a fan favourite. The 36-year-old is currently in South Africa recovering from an Achilles injury which, according to FUSA, was not adequately managed by the club. Rollers Chairman Thapelo Pabalinga said the club was working to resolve the situation. “We are currently at the mercy of FIFA as far as the ban is concerned but we have managed to pay off some of our debts and hope to find a permanent solution as soon as possible,” he told News&All.
