BFA should just give 'Machine' the Zebras job

Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday October 6, 2026 10:15

Last month, Nthaga was handed the reins on a temporary basis following Morena Ramoreboli’s abrupt departure. Understandably, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has asked Nthaga to audition before the mother body makes a firm decision on the next substantive coach. But even before the two games, there was nothing wrong with handing Nthaga the reins on a full-time basis. The BFA technical committee met and felt he was the best man for the job. If he was deemed good enough, even on a stop-gap basis, then chances are he is good enough to take the role on a permanent basis. There are usually no auditions for foreign coaches.

They walk in, sign a contract and hit the ground running. The local association, which has gone a long way towards upskilling local coaches, should show the same confidence in its products by doing away with the temporary arrangement. Granted, Nthaga has not handled a senior assignment of this magnitude before, but there should be a vote of confidence in local coaches. Handing him the job on a full-time basis would not only signal intent on the part of the BFA, but also give hope to scores of other local coaches who have been working hard to improve their qualifications. Indeed, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and this is the BFA’s glorious chance to test the success of its programme of empowering local coaches. The programme gained momentum in 2019 with the arrival of South African Serame Letsoaka, when the association committed to training more local coaches to attain top-level licences. That investment has borne fruit, and the BFA should now show full confidence in its products, starting with the appointment of Nthaga on a full-time basis.

If he fails, the safeguards are always there in the contract. Coaches are judged on results, and Nthaga should be given the opportunity to build his own CV with the Zebras rather than being compared with coaches who arrive with decorated resumes. Nthaga has started his reign well enough, with signs that he has improved the team in the two matches he has overseen. Yet, people continue to demand coaches with impressive CVs, many of whom have unfortunately failed the nation in the past. Let Nthaga build his own CV with the Zebras and be judged on results. It is also reported that the BFA cannot afford to hire an expatriate coach.

If that is the case, Nthaga presents a pragmatic, home-grown solution. This should not mean the BFA takes advantage of local coaches by paying them below-market rates. But it is public knowledge that expatriate coaches often come with salary expectations that are considerably higher. The BFA has invested in developing local coaches and now is the time to show that it believes in them. Give ‘Machine’ the Zebras job.