We have picked a balanced squad—Ramoreboli
Mqondisi Dube | Monday December 1, 2025 10:46
Zebras coach, Morena Ramoreboli, named his squad on Tuesday that represents a mix of youth and experience, but also features surprise omissions.
Richards Bay defender, Benson Kitso Mangolo, Gaborone United attacking midfielder, Mpho Kgaswane and Libya-based Thero Setsile, were the notable absentees from the travelling squad after only making the reserves list.
In an interview with MmegiSport, he said there were many considerations behind the scenes before the final list was announced.
'There were a couple of aspects we had to look into: one, the current form; two, the previous performance; three, age; and four, the players with experience. So we had to look into that and combine the four,' Ramoreboli explained.
'We tried to make sure that we balance. We also looked into players who have performed well and have been consistent. No one will question the inclusion of (Thabo) Maponda, Thabang Sesinyi—they have been very consistent.
'No one will have ignored the impact of Omaatla Kebatho from injury: scoring goals, creating chances. These are players that we say their current form made them to be selected for the national team,' he added.
Ramoreboli said the technical team also considered previous performances, which influenced their decision.
On the team's preparations, the coach said he can only be worried if there are insufficient training sessions and friendly games that the team plays.
'I want us to be worried if we are not going to prepare well. Preparations mean: number of training sessions, number of contact sessions you have with the players, number of friendly games you play, and being able to make reference and pick positives or mistakes.
'These are things that lead you to a tournament and if we are able to get those ones right, I can simply say we are on the right track,' he said.
Ramoreboli said there are friendly matches with local teams and international sides.
'We have already characterised and profiled teams that we need to play against, so that they give us what we need, especially for that level we are going to.'
The former Bafana Bafana coach said they go to Morocco as underdogs in a group that has Senegal, Benin, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Ramoreboli said they will go in to compete and 'slay the Goliaths.'
Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Tariq Babitseng, paid tribute to the Zebras for their second qualification to the AFCON finals.
'These young men have carried the nation through the qualifiers, through expectations and through pressure. Today, we honour their hard work and sacrifices to carry Botswana on their shoulders. I do not want to be in the shoes of the coaches because every Motswana wants their team to be represented,' he said before the team's announcement on Tuesday.
Babitseng said the expectation is for the team to go beyond the group stages, which, if achieved, will be the Zebras' best show at the continental tournament. In 2012, the Zebras lost all three games.
'I might be the president and very proud to have qualified, but I have told the coach we need to go beyond the group stages. We have been seeded with the best of the best in Africa. Being the best out of the 54 countries, we are amongst the 24 that have qualified. It means we are one of the best, and we should not take that lightly as Batswana,' he said.
Ramoreboli is expected to trim the squad further and take 26 players to the tournament.