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Rollers to fight to the end

Jul 18, 2018

Township Rollers of Botswana lost 3-0 to the record 8-time African champions Al-Ahly last night in Alexandria.

Moroccan Walid Azaro netted in the first half, Tunisian Nabil Maaloul converted a penalty on 75 minutes and Egyptian Islam Mohareb completed the scoring with a header. on the 79th minute.

Former National team captain Ofentse Nato, who came on as a substitute and shortly left after sustaining an injury to his ankle, believes there is still chance for Rollers and they will fight to the end.

Nato will undergo medical assessment upon arrival in Botswana, however early indications are that he should be back training in a weeks’ time as the injury is not as severe as it was thought to be.

With 3 games left to play, the results mean Group A is wide open with Esperance on 7 points, Al Ahly on 4 points; Rollers and KCCA 3 points.

Popa (Rollers) will have 10 days to regroup as they host the Egyptian giants on home soil on the 28^th July 2018.

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Botswana and Algeria Strengthen Sports Ties, with Football Development in Focus

Francistown, Botswana – The Honourable Minister of Sport & Arts, Mr. Jacob Kelebeng, recently welcomed a courtesy visit from Honourable Walid Sadi, Algeria’s Minister of Youth & Sports, along with His Excellency Ambassador Abdelmalek Tigharhar of Algeria.

The discussions centered on fostering collaboration between the two nations in sports development, with particular emphasis on Paralympics, football, boxing, and athletics. This engagement presents valuable opportunities for Botswana to benefit from Algeria’s advanced sporting infrastructure, training programs, and technical expertise.

As part of the visit, Honourable Sadi also met with BFA President Mr. Tariq Babitseng, alongside Minister Kelebeng. Discussions highlighted Algeria’s well-established football development structures, coaching programs, and talent identification pathways, which could serve as a benchmark for Botswana’s football growth strategy.

BFA President Emphasizes Football Development

Speaking on the significance of the engagement, BFA President Mr. Tariq Babitseng expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, noting that Botswana stands to gain valuable insights from Algeria’s football model.

“Football development remains a key priority for the BFA, and this engagement allows us to benchmark against one of Africa’s leading football nations. Algeria’s structured approach to grassroots football, coaching development, and high-performance training presents a great learning opportunity for Botswana. We are excited about the potential collaborations that will enhance our football structures and elevate the sport in the country,” said Babitseng.

The Minister was accompanied by Permanent Secretary Ms. Nancy Chengeta of the Ministry of Sport & Arts (MOSA), along with key sports leadership figures, including:

✅ BNSC Chairperson: Mr. Marumo Morule

✅ BNSC CEO: Mr. Tuelo D. Serufho

✅ BNSC Executive Management

✅ Botswana Football Association (BFA) Executives

✅ Various dignitaries and stakeholders

The BFA remains committed to building strategic international partnerships that contribute to the growth, professionalization, and long-term sustainability of football in Botswana.