New Zebras coach in before March
Mqondisi Dube | Monday December 2, 2024 11:24
The Zebras are through to next year's Africa Cup of Nations finals in Morocco but do not have a substantive coach. Jwaneng Galaxy coach, Morena Ramoreboli, took temporary charge of the team in the penultimate and final fixtures of the AFCON qualifiers against Mauritania and Egypt respectively. The South African managed two draws, which were sufficient to book the Zebras a second dance at the AFCON finals. Ramoreboli had replaced Frenchman, Didier Gomes Da Rosa, who dumped the team after their 1-0 victory over Cape Verde last month.
The BFA CEO, Mfolo Mfolo, said they have received a report from Ramoreboli following the two matches against Mauritania and Egypt. 'For now, there is nothing much to say except we have received a report from coach Morena Ramoreboli for the two AFCON qualifiers. (The BFA) NEC will soon make a resolution on the way forward in so far as the appointment of the substantive Zebras head coach is concerned,' Mfolo said. He said the expectation is that the appointment would have been concluded by the time the Zebras trot back onto the pitch to face Algeria at home on March 17. 'We will consider the turnaround time to be ready for the next World Cup qualifiers to be played in March 2025,' he said. Ramoreboli is still tipped to be given the job on a full-time basis and lead the Zebras out at the AFCON finals next year in December.
The Zebras have enjoyed an upturn in fortunes since their victory away to Cape Verde in October. Including that win, the Zebras are unbeaten in four fixtures which include two victories and two draws. The upward trajectory has seen the Zebras move from 148 in the world to 140 at the end of October. They are expected to make further ground due to the two draws against Mauritania and Egypt this month, two sides that are ranked higher than the Zebras. In October, the Zebras managed the biggest points increase in the rankings, after amassing 38.30 points.