25 Feb 2026

The senior national football team coach, Morena Ramoreboli, has expressed confidence that the Zebras have what it takes to qualify for the next edition of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). 

Speaking at the team’s appreciation event in Gaborone Monday, he said Botswana has an abundance of talent, emphasising that players developed best when their mistakes were corrected rather than overlooked with praise as constructive criticism was key to their growth. 

“To all technicians, remember that your contribution is to grow football in this country. We have been given that responsibility,” he said. 

Ramoreboli stressed that in nurturing talent, coaches must focus on helping players improve and grow into stronger footballers. 

The coach admitted that the team was not proud of their AFCON performance in Morocco, where they were eliminated in the group stages. 

However, he said their participation in the finals provided valuable lessons that would help them reach the same level as stronger teams. He said as a coach, he learnt a lot in Morocco. 

“For the first time in my football career I had to stand for 90 minutes, and it was difficult to send messages because of the crowd and stadium noise. Those are things our players are not used to,” he said. 

He said they also gained insight into the lifestyle and level of commitment demonstrated by other players at AFCON. 

“We saw Sadio Mané play 90 minutes in all games and still give the same attitude,” he said. 

Ramoreboli noted that during the 2012 AFCON tournament, the same Senegal side that recently won the championship had once gone home without a single win. 

“Sometimes we take many lessons before getting what we want, but because of noise and negativity we end up thinking we are not good enough,” he said. 

He further said national team coaches and players carried huge responsibility in representing their countries with pride. 

“Before pointing fingers, players, coaches, legends and stakeholders should ask themselves how best they can help the national team,” he said. 

Ramoreboli observed that people were often quick to judge and forgot their critical role in supporting the national team so that it could achieve good results. 

“This is a national team where everybody is responsible. Your little contribution, whether at the stadium or through positive messages on social media, always pushes our boys,” he said.

He added that if the nation could unite, there was no doubt Botswana could achieve great things. Ramoreboli also thanked the Botswana Football Association for its relentless support during AFCON preparations and throughout the tournament. BOPA