06 Dec 2023

Despite his reputation as a nomadic coach,  new Zebras head coach, Didier Gomes Da Rosa looks ready to set camp for some time in Botswana as attested by his roadmap for the senior national team.

BOPA caught up with him to appreciate his strategy for the team.

BOPA: Hello coach, congratulations for winning against Guinea, it was a sweet victory for the nation

Didier: Yeah thank you, credit to the players, they worked very hard, they wanted it more after our loss against Mozambique.

BOPA: Kindly share your roadmap and mandate with the national team.

Didier: The first and main target is to qualify for AFCON 2025, and we have a potential to do that. Our last game against Guinea was very significant and has demonstrated that we can achieve even more.

BOPA: Okay...continue.

Didier: Having said that, we have to fine tune some of the things that will enable us to play more like a mature team ready to compete.

BOPA: How is the spirit of the boys?

Didier: You know, our group in the World Cup qualifiers is open, anyone can qualify, and most significantly I think our victory has motivated my players to go for more glory in our coming games.

BOPA: That’s very true, and other games are coming.

Didier: Yes, because we have two more important World Cup qualifiers coming aganst Uganda and Somalia away, and we will play Algeria at home.

BOPA: Talking about qualifiers, the last time we qualified for major competition was in 2012, surely Batswana want to dance again, so how are you preparing for these games?

Didier: First thing first, I trust my players, but we need to have more friendly games with very tough opponents to ready the boys for the task.

BOPA: Do you think the current players can help the country to qualify for AFCON 2025?

Didier: Oh yeah, I am confident that I have a pool of players who can compete and ultimately qualify for AFCON 2025. If we can manage to have some of our players to play outside the country in competitive leagues, that will bolster our squad competitiveness.

BOPA: Mhm...continue.

Didier: You know 11 years is too much for Batswana. They need something that can put a smile in their face, hence it’s important to put out best foot forward, do things right and grab a qualification.

BOPA: Would you say your players are physically fit? I have watched West Africa players who have big muscles compared to our players!

Didier: I am not worried about my player’s fitness, I think they will get there, so my emphasis is on weight loss so far to get them into shape.

BOPA: So you are not worried about their fitness?

Didier: Let me tell you something now that you keep on talking about fitness. During our game against Guinea, I told my players to keep the ball possession even more, so in a nutshell I am not worried about fitness but we have to be more powerful and match the strength of our opponents.

BOPA: Powerful? Mmmmh.

Didier: Yes I am sure you say Guinean players are giants, but that did not prevent us to win the match at the end of the day.

BOPA: Very true, and we matched them.

Didier: Yeah I told them their bodies should be war machines, their bodies need to be strong and energetic.

BOPA: Ok thanks...I am aware you arrived in the eve of the games, you did not have time to watch some of the players in action, and its every player’s dream to play for the national team.

Didier: Wait there, I know what you want to say, personally I believe every player qualifies to play for the national team, be it from first or second division, I call players on merit, not names.

BOPA: Quite interesting.

Didier: Yes all players in different divisions should continue to work hard. You know 40 years ago in France, there was a goalkeeper who played in the second division who was selected for national team.

BOPA: So this means you will be travelling across the country searching for talent.

Didier: Yes indeed there is no room for laziness, I would have to travel across the country to observe them in action. My advice to all the players even those who are in the national team, any player can be dropped anytime for lack of performance, and to be honest, a lot of players out there also want to represent their country, so every player when given a chance, must  always give their all.

BOPA: Fair enough, I am told you are a disciplinarian, and when you want results you take no prisoners.

Didier: Personally, I want results, we can joke all we can, but at the same time, we must remember that our aim is to make Batswana proud.

BOPA: Thanks very much coach, your last word?

Didier: Yeah I would like to thank the BFA, technical team and the staff for welcoming me to coach Zebras. Ends