Botswana giants Rollers sign South African sensation 

Botswana’s giants Township Rollers have announced the signing of Stars of Africa academy graduate Shaun Gcumeni. 

The exciting midfielder joins the Blues on a two-year deal. 

“Township Rollers has agreed terms with exciting South African prodigy Shaun Gcumeni, the youngster joining Popa from the Stars of Africa football academy in Johannesburg,” a statement on Rollers’ social media read. 

Gcumemi was invited for trials by the 16-time Botswana champions and spent the pre-season period with the club. 

In the preparatory games, he has put impressive displays in the heart of the Rollers’ midfield. 

The youngster was part of Rollers’ squad that was invited by Lesotho sides, Bantu FC and Lioli. 

Gcumeni is part of a four men foreign entourage joining Rollers in this transfer window period in Botswana. Namibian forwards Dennis Tjimauwe and Denver Meyer join from Namibian sides, African Stars and Tiger FC, respectively, on two-year deals. 

The club has also snapped up Terdius Uiseb from Libyan side Al Tahaddy SC on a two-year contract. 

Rollers are the most successful side in Botswana football, having won the league title a record of 16 times. 

The club has also become the first Botswana side to reach the quarterfinals of the CAF Champions League. 

Former Mamelodi Sundowns’ playmaker, Manqoba ‘Shakes’ Ngwenya, has previously donned the blue and yellow of Rollers. 

Mthokozisi Msomi, formerly with Bidvest Wits and Jomo Cosmos, and Kamohelo Matsabu [ex-Orbit FC] have also played for Rollers. 

Gcumeni joins former Kaizer Chiefs academy starlet Sizwe Twala who is with reigning champions Gaborone United. 

Meanwhile, Rollers have parted with Kenyan winger Ovella Ochieng. Senegalese striker Mohammed Diallo, Congolese defender Lebeau Binemo Madi and Rwandan forward Jean Bertrand Iradukunda have also left the club after just a year. 

The start of the Botswana Premier League has been pushed to the second week of October as authorities battle to secure a sponsor for the league.