Ramoreboli unveils provisional squad
20 Aug 2025
With the FIFA World Cup qualifiers looming, Zebras’ head coach, Morena Ramoreboli has unveiled a 38-man provisional squad.
The Zebras, currently third in Group G with nine points, will use the qualifiers not only to climb the ranks, but also to prepare for the upcoming AFCON finals billed for Morocco in December.
Although the initial list is extensive, Ramoreboli will narrow it down to 26 players, with new faces like midfielder Phillip Kaku of Township Rollers, Mpho Kgaswane of Gaborone United and Thapelo Mabedi from BDF XI, hoping to make the final cut.
The Zebras are in Group G with Algeria, Mozambique, Uganda, Guinea and Somalia are third after their wins against Somalia and Guinea in Francistown recently.
He is known as a disciplinarian and many wonder what it takes to be a regular on his team.
In an interview, he explained that every coach had their own style of management. He believed that a player should ‘display a human being in him.’
He added that players should be well behaved, noting that at this level, they were talking about professional players who had not only talent but also discipline.
Ramoreboli emphasised that once a player was called up for the national team, the most important thing was to understand that they wore the national colours to work for the country.
“The most important thing is to respect others and be a team player, where in an opportunity where he is not in a good position to score, he will be able to play to his teammate who is in a better position to score,” he said.
According to Ramoreboli, working with individuals required them to understand that football was not all about talent, players must also be prepared to work hard.
“Personally, I always say I would rather choose hard work and discipline over talent, because my understanding is that an individual who is working hard at any given moment will always do well against somebody who is only relying on talent,” he said.
The head coach added that a player should be technically good and coachable.
On the preparations, he said good preparation took time and required layers to quickly adapt to what the coach needed.
“The other key thing is that players must be willing to go the extra mile and they should be mentally ready to compete and fight for the country,” he said.
He further noted that while Botswana may not have big names like other countries, the players needed to earn respect through hard work. He said his preparation plan focused on mental strength, tactics and physical attributes. He stressed that while they were playing qualifiers, it was important to build a solid team for AFCON.
That, he said, needed individuals who were ready to compete and would gauge their readiness for higher stages like AFCON.
“It might not be easy when you play away, but those are the tests that you need, because they are going to play AFCON far away from home, where maybe opponents might have the advantage of their supporters, so we need to work on that now,” he said.
The Zebras will play Algeria on September 4 at the Stade Hocine Aïy Ahmed in Tizi-Ouzou. Four days later, they will face Mozambique at the Estádio do Zimpeto.
Between October 6-14, the Zebras will host Uganda at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown in the evening. They will then play against Guinea on a date, venue and time to be confirmed.
In the goalkeeping department, the provisional squad comprises Goitseone Phoko (Jwaneng Galaxy), Keagile Kgosipula (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Lesenya Malapela (Orapa United) and Kabelo Dambe (Township Rollers).
Defenders include Alford Velaphi (Gaborone United), Mothusi Johnson (Gaborone United), Thato Kebue (Gaborone United), Botsile Sekana (Orapa United), Kemoneetswe Mmangwedi (Orapa United), Benson Mangolo (Richard Bay-South Africa), Tebogo Kopelang (Jwaneng Galaxy), Thabo Leinanyane (Jwaneng Galaxy), Mosha Gaolaolwe (Township Rollers), Bapaletswe Simon (Township Rollers) and Shanganani Nganda (Mochudi Centre Chiefs).
In the midfield, Ramoreboli has called Gape Mohutsiwa (Mouloudia Club D’Oran), Godiaraone Modingwane (BDF), Mothusi Cooper (Township Rollers), Phillip Kaku (Township Rollers), Lebogang Ditsele (Gaborone United), Karabo Phiri (Gaborone United), Mpho Kgaswane (Gaborone United), Phenyo Serameng (Sua Flamengoes), Koketso Majafi (Orapa United), Olebogeng Ramotse (Jwaneng Galaxy), Gilbert Baruti (Mochudi Centre Chiefs) and Theo Shadikong (Mochudi Centre Chiefs).
Attackers comprise Molaodi Tlhalefang (Gaborone United), Thatayaone Kgamanyane (Gaborone United), Thabo Maponda (Gaborone United), Serati Semadi (Sua Flamengoes), Eric Ookame (Orapa United), Ronald Fortune (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Thero Setsile (Jwaneng Galaxy), Thabang Sesinyi (Jwaneng Galaxy), Losika Ratshukudi (Ubuntu Academy) and Thapelo Mabedi (BDF XI).
With focus on hard work and mental fortitude over raw talent, Coach Ramoreboli is clearly building more than just a team. He cultivating a new culture of discipline and respect.
As the Zebras embark on the crucial qualifiers, their performance would not only determine their standing in Group G but also serve as a vital litmus test for their readiness to compete on the biggest stage at AFCON.
The journey ahead remains tough, but with Ramoreboli’s philosophy at its core, the Zebras are poised to fight for every inch of the pitch and earn the respect they seek. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Anastacia Sibanda
Location : Gaborone
Event : Press conference
Date : 20 Aug 2025
Related News
10 Nov 2025
10 Nov 2025
Aboulela defends powerlifting title
10 Nov 2025
TAFIC and Gunners share spoils
06 Nov 2025
Lack of betting safeguards worrisome
06 Nov 2025