All pointed to an unhealthy relationship but Mpote’s dismissal came when his charges had played probably the best match of the coach's reign when they won 2-1 against an improving Eswatini.
Mpote called up arguably his strongest side for the friendly match played at the Lobatse Sports Complex. Post the match, Mpote expressed his satisfaction and essentially challenged the BFA to give him more friendly matches.
However, that request instead, delivered a dismissal letter from Lekidi Football Centre. Mpote is now history, joining a long list of former Zebras coaches who came and left without delivering silverware or qualification to a major tournament. Only Stanley Tshosane remains with the honour of taking the Zebras to their one and only qualification to the Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Mpote took over when the Zebras were number 148 in the world and left them there (no damage done). Like the Parable of the talents, Mpote resembled the third servant who hid his talent by burying it on the ground and was punished by his master, the BFA. But now Mpote belongs to past discussions as a new chapter lies ahead for the Zebras.
The BFA is on the verge of announcing Frenchman Didier Gomes da Rosa as Mpote’s successor. Sources indicate, as expected, the new gaffer will not come cheap, commanding a salary well in excess of P300,000.
Da Rosa is a journey man (in the context of travels) who has had no less than 17 jobs since 2008. Will he last the distance with the Zebras? History is certainly in disagreement.
While the nation awaits the arrival of da Rosa, it will not be too wild to imagine what if the BFA could have gone for a probably cheaper and readily available option in Jwaneng Galaxy coach, Morena Ramoreboli. The South African has thrived and soared in the local league and has international experience after handling Bafana Bafana previously.
He has the right profile to handle the Zebras job at short notice as he has intimate knowledge of local football. One hopes efforts were made to lure Ramoreboli to the national team, otherwise it will be criminal to overlook a man who looks a sure fit for the national team job. The other option could have been Peter Butler who oversaw the revival of the Zebras in a brief sparkling period between 2015 and 2016.
It was during this time that the Zebras were ranked number 86 and reached their first COSAFA Cup final. Butler is already in the country and like Ramoreboli, knows the players like the back of his hand. But probably egos are at play at the BFA and there must be something they don’t like about the outspoken Englishman. However, that said, let all the support be given to the new man, otherwise it could turn out to be an expensive experiment.
