City Kings Football Club has firmly asserted its dominance over the Nhabe Region, with both its men’s and women’s squads clinching their respective league titles for the 2025/2026 season. The double victory marks a milestone for the Maun-based outfit, which outpaced competitors from across the region to secure berths in the upcoming promotional playoffs.
The City Kings women’s team officially ascended to the throne this past weekend. Amassing a perfect 12 points so far, they have outstripped rivals Wild Dogs and Saint Daniels, who currently occupy the second and third spots. While the champions have already secured the title by winning all four of their matches to date, they still have two remaining fixtures against their podium rivals this coming weekend to maintain their flawless record.
With the regional trophy in hand, the ladies’ side has booked a place in the BH National Women’s Football League Northern Block playoffs. Despite the triumph, the season highlighted a concerning trend for local sports; only three teams participated in the league this year—a significant dip in numbers compared to previous seasons.
Mirroring the success of their counterparts, the City Kings men’s team was also crowned champions following a relentless campaign in the Nhabe Region Division 1 League. The squad sits atop the table with a commanding 74 points, comfortably ahead of Western Dynamites and Swallows. Their season statistics are a testament to their consistency, boasting 24 wins and two draws from 26 matches, with four games still left on the calendar.
The men’s victory clears their path to the Northern Block Promotional Playoffs, scheduled to take place in Kasane from June 4th to 6th, 2026. There, they will face off against regional champions from the Okavango, Chobe, Boteti, Francistown, and Makgadikgadi streams. This year’s Division 1 marathon was a far more crowded affair than the women’s side, featuring a 16-team roster that included the likes of Gunners of Khwai, CTO FC, and Maun Tigers.
Reflecting on the success, City Kings ladies’ coach Matlhogonolo Moitoi attributed the victory to early preparation and unwavering management support. He emphasized that the community played a silent but vital role.
“Support from parents and the community is vital for women in sports, as they are vulnerable to different challenges,” Moitoi noted. He added that while the small size of the league was noted, it never dampened the team’s internal drive to succeed.
On the men’s side, Coach Likha Paphani revealed that the championship was a product of “redemption.” After a heartbreaking loss in the playoffs last season, the team used the setback as fuel rather than a reason for despair.
“We kept the same squad we had last season and fixed the tactical errors we experienced,” Paphani stated. This continuity allowed the team to refine their performance, ultimately leading them back to the top of the table.
