There is no crisis – Ramoreboli
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday April 6, 2026 06:00
Speaking after the team's 1–0 win over Malawi in the Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament third-place playoff tie at Obed Itani Chilume, he delivered a candid defence of his project, one shaped by pressure, transition and an evolving squad featuring several uncapped youngsters.
The victory over Malawi was only his second win as Zebras coach, coming after a 3–0 defeat to Zimbabwe earlier in the same tournament, which exposed the inconsistencies still defining the team's rebuild.
“We are not having a crisis, but we have issues that need everybody to attend,” Ramoreboli said.
“We have legends who played, but are we doing enough as legends to support the current generation? We have qualified coaches, but are we doing enough to support the technical team? We have administrators, former players. Before we point fingers, we must support the current progress.'
The Zebras coach has been under increasing scrutiny following the team's exit from the 2025 AFCON finals, where performances fell short of expectations. Calls for his dismissal have intensified in football circles, but Ramoreboli says he is unfazed.
“I always say if you understand where you are and what you are trying to do, unfortunately, the noise will not shake you,” he said. “There is always going to be pressure. When I chose this job, I knew there would be pressure.”
He added that public criticism, particularly on social media, has become part of modern football management. He, however, warned against emotional reactions to online commentary.
“I always tell my family to stay away from Facebook,” Ramoreboli said. “It is a platform where people say whatever. If you are emotional, you lose focus.”
In one of his most pointed reflections, he questioned Botswana’s broader football culture, arguing that the country often lacks patience in developing local coaches and players.
“The unfortunate part is that we are not very patient to develop our own,” he said. “But we are patient to develop those who quickly leave and go to contribute elsewhere.”
Ramoreboli, who previously guided Jwaneng Galaxy to successive league titles after an initial third-place finish, contrasted club stability with the realities of international coaching.
“At Galaxy, the first season we finished third, the second season we won the league, the third season we won it again,” he said. “Now, imagine coaching a national team; after this camp, when do I see these players again? After three months.”
He stressed that national team coaching offers little continuity, especially while introducing younger, inexperienced players.
“I am in camp with young players who have never played international football at this level,” he said. “And someone, who may not understand the process, goes on social media and says whatever.”
Ramoreboli’s comments come amid a mixed run of results since taking charge, including 13 matches. Under him, Zebras has managed only two wins, three draws and eight losses, with nine goals scored and 22 conceded.
The Zebras also finished third in the recent Mukuru 4 Nations Tournament, where the defeat to Zimbabwe and a narrow win over Malawi highlighted both progress and persistent defensive concerns.
Despite criticism, Ramoreboli continues to lean into youth development, with several uncapped players forming part of his latest selection, including Tebogo Kopelang, Losika Ratshukudu and Monty Enosa, among the few remaining from Botswana’s AFCON 2025 squad.
“For me, being under pressure and labelled a bad coach, let’s be honest, it is understandable,” he said. “But people fail to understand the importance of patience. In everything you build, you must exercise patience.'