Ramoreboli named Botswana's permanent coach ahead of TotalEnergies CAF AFCON
South African tactician Morena Ramoreboli has been officially appointed as the permanent head coach of the Botswana national team, the Zebras.
The 42-year-old was named as the permanent coach on Thursday, four days before the Final Draw for the 2025 TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations.
Ramoreboli steps into the role following a successful stint as interim coach, where he guided the team to qualify for the tournament to be held in Morocco.
This marks Botswana’s first qualification for Africa's flagship sporting event since 2012.
Ramoreboli, who previously managed Botswana Premier League side Jwaneng Galaxy, earned widespread acclaim for his domestic successes.
"Today, we proudly introduce the new Head Coach of the Zebras, Mr. Morena Ramoreboli. His appointment comes at a time when our national team is making us proud and showing great promise," Botswana FA President Oabile Tariq Babitseng said at a press conference to introduce 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."
During his tenure at Galaxy, he led the team to consecutive league titles and historic qualifications for the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League group stages.
His ability to achieve remarkable results with limited resources captured the attention of the Botswana Football Association (BFA).
The 42-year-old coach’s interim tenure saw him oversee crucial AFCON qualifiers against Egypt and Mauritania.
Despite facing formidable opponents, Botswana secured two vital draws, enough to seal their place at the continental showpiece.
The BFA outlined ambitious targets for the trainer after confirming Ramoreboli’s two-year contract.
These include advancing beyond the AFCON group stages, collecting at least 12 points in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers, qualifying for TotalEnergies CAF CHAN 2026, and winning the 2025 COSAFA Senior Men's Challenge.
Additionally, he has been tasked with improving Botswana’s FIFA ranking to break into Africa’s top 30.
Ramoreboli expressed his excitement about the opportunity, stating his commitment to building a competitive team for AFCON and beyond.
Botswana currently sits third in their FIFA World Cup qualifying group, trailing Algeria and Mozambique.
His first test as permanent coach will come in March when Botswana hosts Algeria in a crucial World Cup qualifier.