| Full name | Mahalapye Railway Highlanders | |
|---|---|---|
| Nickname | Stimela[1] | |
| Short name | MR Highlanders | |
| Founded | 1987 | |
| Ground | Serowe Sports Complex[2] | |
| Capacity | 6600 | |
| Coach | Blessing Moyo | |
| League | Botswana Premier League | |
Mahalapye Railway Highlanders are a football club in theBotswana Premier League who play home games inMolepolole, but are based out ofMahalapye.[2][1]
Mahalapye Railway Highlanders, previously Botswana Railway Highlanders,[3] are the team ofBotswana 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]
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 the2018-19 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]
