South African-born Morena Ramoreboli has been appointed coach of the Botswana national team following his brief spell as caretaker coach.
Ramoreboli was in charge of the Zebras during the November international window when he helped them secure a draw away to Egypt which allowed them to seal a place at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations for the second time in their history.
Now, the tactician, who was hired from Botswana giants Jwaneng Galaxy, who he has led to two league titles, has a big job with hands, having been handed the role on a permanent basis with reports indicating that he has signed a two-year contract.
Why has Ramoreboli been hired?
” His appointment comes at a time when our national team is making us proud and showing great promise,” Botswana Football Association (BFA) president Oabile Tariq Babitseng said at a press conference to introduce the coach on Thursday.
“Mr Ramoreboli brings a wealth of experience and success. He holds a CAF A license and has spent over a decade proving his abilities as a top coach.
“With Jwaneng Galaxy, he won two Botswana Premier League titles and qualified for the CAF Champions League twice, defeating big teams like Orlando Pirates and Wydad Athletic Club. His success in regional tournaments, including COSAFA, adds to his impressive profile.
“One of Mr 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.”
What are the SA-born coach’s targets?
However, Ramoreboli has big targets to meet in his two-year stint as the BFA wants him to make it past the group stage at AFCON 2025 in Morocco later this year, get at least 12 points from their 2026 World Cup qualifiers, win the 2025 COSAFA senior men’s title and also secure a ticket to the 2026 African Nations Championships.
“Additionally, improving Botswana's FIFA ranking to the top 30 in Africa is a key objective. To achieve these goals, the BFA is committed to providing the necessary resources and support for the Zebras,” added the statement from the BFA.
Ramoreboli’s ability to get the best results with limited resources is one of the reasons he has been handed the job.
