Botswana head coach Morena Ramoreboli celebrates with players after guiding the Zebras to qualification to the Afcon in Morocco.
Weam Mostafa / BackpagePix
SPORT
Botswana Football Association (BFA) this week officially appointed South African tactician Morena Ramoreboli as the permanent head coach of the Botswana national team, the Zebras.
The appointment came four days before the draw for the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) in Morocco.
READ: Ramoreboli is making the most of being outside South Africa
Ramoreboli steps into the role following a successful stint as interim coach of Botswana, who he guided to qualification to the tournament to be held in Morocco from 21 December to 1 January next year.
This marks Botswana’s first qualification for Afcon since 2012.
At 44, Ramorobeli will be one of the youngest coaches at the finals in Morocco.
A CAF A license holder, Ramoreboli previously managed Botswana Premier League side Jwaneng Galaxy.
He guided Galaxy to two league titles and qualified for the CAF Champions League twice.
Botswana Football Association president, Tariq Babitseng, unveils Morena Ramoreboli as the new head coach of the Zebras on permamnet basis.
Today, we proudly introduce the new head coach of the Zebras, Morena Ramoreboli. His appointment comes at a time when our national team is making us proud and showing great promise.
Botswana FA president Tariq Babitseng
Well known for causing upsets against more fancied teams during his time with lower division clubs in South Africa, Ramoreboli carried his reputation with to Galaxy in the Champions League.
Last season, Galaxy knocked out Soweto giants Orlando Pirates and stunned former champions Wydad Casablanca with a victory away from home.
READ: Ramoreboli on CAF Champions League fairy tale run and the ‘black magic’ claims in Morocco
His success in regional tournaments, including Cosafa Cup, adds to his impressive profile.
It is Ramoreboli’s ability to achieve remarkable results with limited resources that captured the attention of BFA.
Said Babitseng:
One of Ramoreboli’s greatest strengths is his connection to our players. He has worked closely with many of them at club level, and this familiarity will ensure a smooth transition. This makes him the right man to lead the Zebras forward.
His tenure as interim coach saw him oversee crucial Afcon qualifiers against Egypt and Mauritania. Botswana secured two draws, which were enough to seal their place at Afcon.
The BFA outlined ambitious targets for Ramoreboli after confirming his appointment on a two-year contract.
Additionally, he has been tasked with improving Botswana’s Fifa ranking to break into Africa’s top 30.
Botswana currently sits third in their World Cup qualifying group, trailing Algeria and Mozambique.
The World Cup qualifiers resume in March, and Ramoreboli’s side will host Algeria.
-CAFonline
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