I'm not a voyager — Da Rosa
Mqondisi Dube | Saturday November 11, 2023 06:00
The Frenchman arrived in Botswana at the end of last month after he left his position at Saudi Arabia side, Al-Taraji. Despite coaching travels that have taken him to 18 clubs in 15 years, Da Rosa was quick to point out that he was not a 'voyager'. “When you coach a big club or a national team, the expectations are very high. The job is very demanding and for sure when you lose once or twice, things can be difficult. But I am not a voyager or a traveller. I want to be at a place where I can be comfortable,” he said. “I stayed two years in Niger, Ethiopia, and Cameroon. It is my wish to be in one country for two, three, or four years so that I can work on something. I hope the leaders will give me time to showcase my capabilities,” the 54-year-old said. Da Rosa believes the Zebras are a better side than their current FIFA ranking of 148 suggests.
Speaking to MmegiSport after his second day of training at Lekidi Centre yesterday, Da Rosa said his target will be to improve the Zebras’ ranking. “It is very difficult as a coach to promise something. We can beat everyone or we can lose to all the teams. Anything is possible, so we cannot promise. But the target is to improve the FIFA ranking to be amongst the top 100 within a year or two,” he said. “This position that we have currently, is not the (actual) value of the Zebras. The Zebras are more than this. I am completely sure,” Da Rosa added. He said the Zebras matches he watched, including the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Libya gave him the impression that Botswana had a decent team capable of competing at the top. “My target is to push the Zebras high in ranking but we have to work on many things to achieve that. We will have to do many things including identifying players around the country and outside. I think it is possible,” Da Rosa said. Da Rosa said he did not hesitate to take up the Zebras offer when he heard there was a vacancy. The Botswana Football Association (BFA) recently parted ways with Mogomotsi ‘Teenage’ Mpote before settling for Da Rosa. “I applied immediately because I was satisfied with what I saw. We have to correct some tactical issues but this team has a very good future.' “I have been here for about 10 days. I have to thank the association for the warm welcome. I have been well taken care of. I have attended league matches and it's very interesting, you can see a lot of quality,” he said.
He, however, highlighted there is a big gap between the top and the bottom sides in the league in terms of quality. “I appreciate the last match I attended between Orapa United and Township Rollers. It was a very good game. Gaborone United and Jwaneng Galaxy also play good football. I know Galaxy very well. I think Botswana football is going up. You can feel that something is happening in Botswana football,” he said.
Da Rosa has signed a short-term contract up to the end of next season. “But the contract can be renewed if they feel I am good. I will do my best in order to renew my contract. I believe in Botswana football and I am getting on well with the players and the staff,” Da Rosa said. He said the immediate aim is to qualify for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations finals. The first and last time the Zebras qualified for the AFCON finals was back in 2012. Da Rosa, who named Pontsho Moloi and Kaelo Kaelo as his assistants said they want to bring back the Zebras of old. Moloi was part of the class of 2012 which played in the AFCON finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The Zebras kick off their World Cup qualifiers against Mozambique at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium next week Thursday. “The focus above anything else, is Mozambique. Three points is crucial at this stage,” he said. Da Rosa said he was impressed with what he saw when the Zebras played Libya in the AFCON qualifier. He said he knows most Zebras players and compiled the squad list on his own. “We played against Galaxy with Simba (Tanzania). I also know very well (Lebogang) Ditsele, (Tumisang) Orebonye of course who is a high-level player. I have played against him before, also (Kabelo) Seakanyeng in a friendly match. I know very well TT (Thatayaone Ditlhokwe). But now for sure, there are new players. For instance, there is Oarabile Sekwai I saw against BDF XI. He was very good that is why I put him on my list,” he said.
“The list I have is completely my (own) list. I spoke to my assistants to get their opinion because it is important to do that. They said the list is okay. I followed those who have been involved before plus watching the league matches,” Da Rosa added. The coach also mentioned Kabelo Dambe whom he said impressed in the last two matches for Rollers. There was praise also for veteran midfielder, Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele. “Tsotso... I was in the stadium when Rollers played Orapa. He played 20–25 minutes but each time he touched the ball, you could feel that this guy could make a difference. Even if he is coming from an injury, we can use him well,” he said. While there are new faces in the team, there is the surprise inclusion of uncapped Vietnam-based, Brandon Wilson. Wilson, who has Australian citizenship, plays for Ha Noi FC in the Vietnam league.
The 26-year-old was born in Gaborone and is due to arrive today. He will link up with his new teammates before the Zebras depart for Francistown where they will continue with their training camp. Da Rosa has never seen Wilson in action. “I did not know him but there is someone who sent me some videos about him and that he would really like to play for Zebras national team. He is a good player, a holding midfielder. He did well last night in the Asian Champions League. What is important is that he wants to play for the Zebras and we said you can come with us.”