Mahalapye Railway Highlanders

Mahalapye Railway Highlanders are a football club in the Botswana Premier League who play home games in Molepolole, but are based out of Mahalapye.[2][1]

BR Highlanders
Full nameMahalapye Railway Highlanders
Nickname(s)Stimela[1]
Short nameMR Highlanders
Founded1987
GroundSerowe Sports Complex[2]
Capacity6600
CoachBlessing Moyo
LeagueBotswana Premier League

Mahalapye Railway Highlanders, previously Botswana Railway Highlanders,[3] are the team of Botswana Railways, but the company's sponsorship only goes as far as transport and some sporting equipment.[4] In 2015 Highlanders were 100% financed by the Railways corporation.[5]

History

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Highlanders were founded as a social club in 1987 by workers of Botswana Railways.[5][6]

In 2002 they were promoted to the first division for the first time, led by coach Tebogo Mokute.[5]

They were promoted to the top division Botswana Premier League for the first time for the 2012 season.[7]

Highlanders were relegated from the Botswana Premier league in 2016.[1] They bounced back in the 2017–18 season: Highlanders were promoted to the 2018-19 Botswana Premier League after defeating Great North Tigers 1–0 in the second-last game of the season.[8] Emmanuel Thakadu scored the goal which sent Highlanders back to the top flight two minutes from time, ensuring Highlanders won the 2017-18 First Division North title.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Sennamose, Olekantse (19 April 2016). "Stimela Drops to Dusty Grounds". All Africa.
  2. ^ a b "Botswana Railways Highlanders". soccerway.com.
  3. ^ "Register". Retrieved 28 February 2021 – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Kolantsho, Calistus (30 September 2011). "BR Highlanders remain unshaken". mmegi.bw. Archived from the original on 24 October 2018. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  5. ^ a b c "BR Highlanders". mmegi.bw. 26 October 2015.
  6. ^ "beMOBILE Premiership 2015-16". Botswana Premier League.
  7. ^ "Highlanders woes continue". Sunday Standard.
  8. ^ "BR Highlanders back in the Premier League". 14 April 2018.
  9. ^ Dube, Chakalisa (16 April 2018). "BR Highlanders secure promotion". mmegi.bw.