Mmegi

CAF requirements rule out Piro, Seabo

Seabo. PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE
Seabo. PIC: KENNEDY RAMOKONE

Zebras assistant coaches Pontsho ‘Piro’ Moloi and Wilshere Seabo will not be considered for the head coach role, even on an interim basis, due to a CAF requirement, MmegiSport has learnt Moloi, in particular, has been part of the Zebras set-up for some time, serving as an assistant to Frenchman Didier Da Rosa Gomez and Morena Ramoreboli, which has seen him gain significant experience.

Seabo has also been part of the set-up, and the two travelled with the Zebras to the Africa Cup of Nations finals held in Morocco in December. Despite their valuable exposure, however, the two will not be considered, even on an interim basis, after Ramoreboli quit the Zebras job to return to his native South Africa. Ramoreboli is set to take up a position as Pitso Mosimane’s assistant with Bafana Bafana. This has left a void that the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has to fill timeously, with the Zebras set to go into camp on Sunday to prepare for their upcoming AFCON qualifiers against Libya and Tunisia. Acting BFA CEO, Bathusi Rathari said the technical committee, headed by Tico Kamati, was seized with the matter. The committee, which also includes Zebras legend Diphetogo Selolwane, Dr Daniel Tau and Mlungisi Kopi, met yesterday to deliberate on the matter.

“The requirements are very clear that whether it’s on an interim basis or not, no one can sit on the bench from Under-17 going up without a CAF A Licence. They must have a CAF A Licence,” he said. According to a CAF circular to all member associations dated May 4, 2025, all national team coaches should be in possession of a CAF A or Pro Licence. “Coaches with valid contracts who do not possess the required licence, and who were contracted before the introduction of the New CAF Coaching Requirements, will have two football seasons (2025–2026 and 2026–2027) to meet the certification requirements,” the circular reads in part. Rathari, however, did not rule out the possibility of both assistant coaches retaining their positions in the new shake-up. “I believe the technical committee is totally independent. There are instances where the NEC will prefer someone, but the committee makes a recommendation.

Editor's Comment
Gov't must guard against cadre deployment

As the Botswana National Front (BNF) discusses a policy to place suitably qualified members in strategic positions, the guiding consideration should remain whether an individual is the best person to serve the country. There is nothing wrong with qualified party members applying for public positions. Political affiliation should neither disqualify a capable candidate nor give them an advantage over others. Every Motswana deserves a fair...

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