Rollers pays P1.2 million to resolve FIFA transfer ban disputes

Township Rollers have paid upwards of P1.2 million to settle outstanding debts with three former employees and secure the removal of a FIFA transfer ban that threatened to disrupt their season, an exclusive report by WeekendSport reveals.

Rollers chairman Thapelo ‘Fish’ Pabalinga confirmed the club has resolved financial claims by former coach Abdelaziz “Aziz” Karkache, South African forward Thabiso Mokenkoane, and Congolese midfielder Ntambwe Wafauna Djo. The settlements total approximately P1.085 million, with overall costs, including fees tied to lifting the registration ban, nearing P1.2 million.

The largest payout went to Karkache, the Moroccan coach appointed during a brief and tumultuous period under former financier Sebata. Rollers settled his claim for P850,000. Mokenkoane, whose contract was terminated last season, received P124,000, while Djo was paid P111,000.

FIFA has officially lifted the transfer ban, allowing the 16-time Botswana Premier League champions to register new players. This development offers a welcome reprieve for a club caught between inherited financial liabilities and the urgent need to rebuild its roster.

The initial registration ban, imposed in October 2025, stemmed from unpaid dues to Karkache, which prompted FIFA intervention. After settling with the coach, Rollers appeared to have cleared the first hurdle.

But the relief was fleeting. Subsequent bans followed, tied to unpaid claims from Mokenkoane and Djo. Mokenkoane’s dispute escalated after the club failed to address payment demands, leading the Footballers Union of South Africa (FUSA) to escalate the matter to FIFA. FIFA ruled in favor of the player and imposed further registration restrictions on Rollers in July and August 2026.

These bans compounded the club’s challenges, severely limiting its ability to strengthen the squad at a critical juncture.

Chairman Pabalinga confirmed the club has now resolved these issues and can focus fully on football. “We have settled the matters, and FIFA has authorized us to register new players,” he told WeekendSport.

The club plans to channel its efforts toward upcoming fixtures, including this weekend’s trip to Palapye to face Morupule Wanderers. The timing of the ban’s removal is crucial as Rollers seek to enhance their competitiveness following a period marked by financial strain, player disputes, and administrative hurdles.

During the ban, the club’s technical staff faced significant constraints, unable to bring in reinforcements to address squad weaknesses. With restrictions lifted, Rollers can now integrate new signings and bolster their lineup.

The P1.2 million-plus outlay serves as a costly lesson on the risks of unresolved contractual obligations in professional football. While the immediate crisis is behind them, the financial toll weighs heavily on a club simultaneously striving to rebuild its commercial and sporting foundations.

For Pabalinga and his team, settling these disputes was essential to restoring normal operations in the transfer market and charting a path forward.

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