23 Jan 2025

Former Jwaneng Galaxy head coach, Morena Ramoreboli has been handed the reins of the national team, the Zebras, on a full time basis with a two-year contract.

Ramoreboli initially came in on an interim basis last year October after the sudden resignation of Frenchman, Didier Gomes Da Rosa.

Unveiling the new head coach, Botswana Football Association (BFA) president Tariq Babitseng said Ramoreboli came at a time when Zebras were doing well and showing great promise.

“It is an incredible achievement to qualify for AFCON for the second time. This achievement reminds us that we have what it takes to compete at the highest level,” said Babitseng.

He said the BFA was confident in Ramoreboli as he brought with him a wealth of experience and a success story. Babitseng said that his major deliverables would be to progress beyond the group stages of the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco this December and to collect at least 12 points in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The new coach is also tasked with qualifying for the Africa Nations Championship 2026 and move the Zebras into the top 30 in the FIFA Africa rankings. He should at least win one COSAFA Challenge cup before his term elapses. Babitseng also said the BFA was confident that Ramoreboli would achieve such deliverables.  

“He has over a decade as a top coach locally with Jwaneng Galaxy, and he twice qualified for the CAF Champions league with them,” he said.

Babitseng said that Ramoreboli also won the COSAFA Challenge cup once with his native country, South Africa.

“His strength is in connecting with the national team players as he has worked with most of them, so we believe he is the right man for the job,” he said.

Babitseng also assured the new gaffer full support, including providing him with resources.

“We are committed to ensuring he has what he needs to succeed. Football is also not just about coaches and players, so I encourage the nation to make it a habit to fill up stadiums during national teams games,” he said.

Accepting the task, Ramoreboli appreciated the trust that the association has shown in him.

“I also want to appreciate local clubs, especially Jwaneng Galaxy and all those that believe in me and I am ready for this challenge although not an easy journey,” he said.

He said the accrued experience in Botswana has prepared him for the challenge ahead. Ramoreboli also promised to work with all the coaches for the benefit of the team. To ensure the deliverables, Ramoreboli said that it will partly take to shape the mentality of both players and supporters to believe that Botswana can compete with the best in the continent. ENDS