Rakhale wage dispute could take Township Rollers to FIFA

Former Orlando Pirates midfielder Thabo Rakhale could take Township Rollers to FIFA over alleged unpaid wages, with the Football Union of South Africa (FUSA) supporting his case.

The 36-year-old is currently back in South Africa recovering from an injury, while a disagreement over outstanding salaries threatens to escalate beyond the Botswana Premier League club.

FUSA secretary general Taelo Motloung said the union was assisting Rakhale and had already given Township Rollers an opportunity to settle the matter.

“There is a matter involving Thabo Rakhale and Township Rollers, and it relates to unpaid salaries. He was contracted to the club and was contributing to the team, but after he suffered an injury, he found himself in a difficult situation.

“We have since sent the club a letter of demand and given them 10 days to resolve the matter. If they fail to act within that period, we will have no option but to take the matter to FIFA,” Motloung told Soccer Laduma.

Rakhale joined Township Rollers in 2023 and stayed with the club as his contract moved towards its expiry in the middle of 2026. His current injury recovery is taking place at home, but his next career move is also unclear now that his agreement with the Botswana side has ended.

According to FUSA, the dispute centres on salaries that Rakhale alleges remain unpaid. The union’s letter of demand gives the club 10 days to resolve the issue. If Township Rollers does not respond or settle the amount within that period, FUSA says it will refer the case to FIFA.

That would move the disagreement from a club-level dispute into the international football authorities’ formal processes.

Rakhale established his career in the Premier Soccer League before leaving South Africa to continue playing in Botswana. He previously represented Sekhukhune United and also played for Orlando Pirates, where he became known during his time in the PSL.

The alleged wage dispute arose after Rakhale suffered the injury while contracted to Township Rollers. FUSA says he had been contributing to the team before the injury left him in a more difficult position.

The club has therefore been given the opportunity to address the outstanding payment before any formal FIFA case is pursued. With his contract now expired and his recovery ongoing, Rakhale’s immediate future remains uncertain, while the outcome of the wage dispute could determine whether the matter proceeds to the global governing body.

FUSA’s involvement means Township Rollers must now resolve the issue within the stipulated period if it is to avoid the case being taken further.