Exclusive: CAF Champions League ambition motivated Gaborone United—Zakhem

Zakhem (in jacket) poses with the champions:

Photo Credit: Gaborone United.

Botswana’s Gaborone United director Nicolas Zakhem says hard work and desire to participate in the CAF Champions League were ingredients behind their FNB Premier League title-winning exploits.

United beat Jwaneng Galaxy FC 4-2 on Saturday, May 17, 2025, to win the league for the first time in three years, a feat Zakhem attributed to hard work. “It is all down to hard work and discipline; without discipline, you cannot achieve anything,” he told Pan-Africa Football.

“We had a slow start, but we overcame the obstacles and were undefeated in eight games because we were focused on one goal of playing CAF Champions League football.”

The director hinted at reinforcing the squad for participation in the next continental competition.

“We have the core of the team, but when you are playing in the CAF Champions League, you need fresh legs and different ideas,” Zakhem explained.

Nicholaev Dimitri Pantev’s men not only claimed the maximum points at Gaborone United Stadium, but also ended Galaxy’s 28-game unbeaten home run.

The champions hold a four-point advantage over second-placed Tafic FC in the 16-team league table with one game left to the finish line. Further down the table, UF Santos are bound for relegation.

United’s title triumph assures their return to the CAF Champions League.

It is a fitting reward for coach Pantev, who joined United in January 2025 after leaving Orapa United. He replaced Pontsho Moloi, who threw in the towel.

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