Gaborone Derby

The Gaborone Derby is a term mainly used to refer to a football match between Township Rollers F.C., Notwane FC and Gaborone United from the Botswana Premier League, although the term can also be used to refer to a clash between any other teams from Gaborone, Botswana.

The most popular Gaborone derby is the match between Township Rollers and Gaborone United, due to their support base and success in Botswana football. The rivalry dates back to the 1970s. Nowadays, the rivalry is believed to have lost its spark and become more of a 'friendly derby' after the rise of Mochudi Centre Chiefs in the 2007/08 Botswana Premier League season, where the Mochudi side finished the season unbeaten to clinch the league trophy.^[1] This is notable in the 2008/09 Premier League decider between United and Chiefs, where Rollers fans celebrated with United after they secured a draw to clinch the league trophy.

In the 2008/09, United had beaten Rollers 5-1 in the league.^[2] The following season Rollers also beat United 5-1, where they also won the league and finished ahead of Chiefs.

Although it is said that the rivalry has lost its 'spark', the fixture has also produced some unforgettable games. Apart from the 5-1 drubbings by both sides on the other, in the 2013 Mascom Top 8 Cup semi final 1st leg at the University of Botswana Stadium, United came from 1-0 down to beat Rollers 4-1,^[3] with all goals being scored in the 1st half. United went on to the final on a 6-3 aggregate scoreline, after a 2-2 draw in the second leg at the Molepolole Sports Complex, where they beat Botswana Defence Force XI 2-1, to capture the silverware at Lobatse Sports Complex.^[4] It was seen as revenge for the fans after Rollers had beaten United in the 2012 semi finals on their way to winning the trophy.

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