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Zebras dream big at Cup of Nations

22 December 2025 14:50| © Mzansi Football
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Botswana coach Morena Ramoreboli is hoping his team’s low profile at the Africa Cup of Nations finals could help them sail under the radar and upset more fancied teams at the tournament in Morocco.

It is only the second time that Botswana compete at the tournament, having lost all three of their group matches on their debut appearance in 2012.

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Botswana are also the lowest ranked of the 24 teams in Morocco, in 138th place in the latest FIFA rankings, compared to 19 for their opening Group D opponents Senegal who they meet in Tangier on Tuesday.

“It's very clear that very few people know much about us, and this is the opportunity for us to make that mark, but with respect for opponents,” the South African born coach said on Monday.

Here is what else he had to say on the eve of the game against the powerful Senegalese: 

On what to expect from Senegal:

“A team that is playing very flexible on attack. They like to start their attack from the back, particularly using their right side. They have two types of full backs … if they feel that maybe there's a lot of pressure, they bring defensive full backs but if they feel that they need to attack more, they change and bring full backs that can give them that offensive edge.

“We know who we are facing, and we have tried our level best to make sure that we analyse them better. And we needed also to make sure that as we do that, we complement our strengths and work on our weaknesses to make sure that we become a better team on the day. And I always say the most important thing about football is to make sure that you know much about your opponents to a point where you even know when they are going to make substitutions!

“They are very consistent in terms of their line-ups and all of that. But at the same time, the most important thing is to make sure that you remain focused in your game, and you know what you can do and what you don't want them to do.”

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On the influence of his North African-based players in the team:

“I think if there's one thing that one needs to give credit to the northern part of Africa, the intensity they're playing with, and the professionalism we see around. I think there are so many positives that one can take from the northern part of Africa in terms of how they do things. And when I look at our players who are at North African clubs, I get to see so many positive things. One, how they play, how they conduct themselves, and lastly, their leadership role within the team. You can see that they are real role models who show that they are playing in professional leagues, but they are also hungry and eager to achieve more. So, for me, I think they're playing a very modern role in making sure that the local guys can see a difference.”

On being one of the African coaches at the tournament

“I always thank the football association for trusting me. It would have been easy for them to hire anybody, but they opted to take somebody who understands Botswana and Southern African football. And as an Africa, this is the biggest competition on the continent and I'm very, very grateful because not many get this opportunity, especially at my age.

“Your growth comes in many ways, and this is one of those opportunities that one has to use to make sure that you empower yourself, you grow, and you also try your best to influence your players. I want to make sure that we work as hard as we can, to make sure that more and bigger opportunities come our way. We need to make our names; we need to write history. We need to make sure that we leave a print in the minds of many people, and this is the opportunity.”

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