Why 55 players on the eve of the AFCON finals?

Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday November 19, 2025 06:00

How do you have a preliminary squad just weeks before a tournament of the Africa Cup of Nations' magnitude.

Coach Morena Ramoreboli and his technical team should have resisted the temptation of releasing a long list, which made them central characters in a comic strip.

Some teams are at the tail end of their preparations, others are in Europe and other parts of the globe fine-tuning, but the 55 Zebras’ players are home, preparing for their first camp.

By now the technical team should be announcing the final squad given that the team has to fly out and prepare closer to the hosts Morocco.

Granted Ramoreboli and the Botswana Football Association (supposedly) know what they are doing which is the reason they hold the positions they currently do.

But it appears there is an anomaly in announcing a 'preliminary' squad just days before the AFCON finals, and not just a preliminary squad, but a long list of 55 players.

What it is that Ramoreboli, a man with seasons of experience in local club football, does not know about his players? Calling such a long list indicates doubt and uncertainty. Only a new coach is expected to have such a pool to get to acclimatise and know his players.

By now the technical team should have a core team, and then add a few others who have raised their hands during the current league season.

If they are to take 22 players to Morocco, it means 33 players from the 55 face the chop! What a waste of some of the players’ time at this juncture. It will also strain BFA resources, given that the association is always crying about lack of finances.

The COSAFA tournament and other friendly matches throughout the year are available as guinea pigs. You cannot be experimenting just days before a big tournament such as the AFCON finals. Hopefully, the long list works as the team needs all the support at this critical juncture.

Back to domestic action, the Botswana Football League (BFL) should make up its mind on the hosting of Category A matches.

The Gaborone United Stadium has been godsent given its increased importance at a time when there is a shortage of facilities. But there should be consideration for spectator safety in determining venues for crowd pulling matches.

The GU Stadium is still being developed and can be improved to an aesthetic, compact stadium capable of hosting top level matches. Let the stadium not be overburdened for now as it hosts matches right through the weekend, which could even affect the turf.