Victory for the Zebras will seal the team’s qualification to the 2025 AFCON finals in Morocco. This would be the team’s first AFCON qualification since its first and only appearance in 2012. The Zebras started the campaign on a low note but have shown remarkable resilience and improvement in the past two fixtures against Cape Verde. The team picked six points whilst Mauritania and Cape Verde are third and fourth respectively with three points each but separated by head-to-head results. First-placed Egypt have already qualified for the Morocco showpiece. “Batswana should come in large numbers to support the team. We prepared well and we are looking forward to the match. It is a crucial match. The importance of this match comes from the good performance the team showed in matches against Cape Verde. We are here because of the effort and commitment that the team showed in the previous two matches. The most important thing is that we have to double our effort as compared to the two previous matches,” Ramoreboli said in a press conference yesterday. The South African-born coach added that the technical team has extensively studied Mauritania and he is optimistic that his charges will get positive results.
He emphasised that he would not make many changes given the good work that was done by his predecessor Didier Gomes Da Rosa. The latter ditched the Zebras for a coaching job in Libya last month, citing a lack of professionalism at the Botswana Football Association (BFA). “The most important thing about this game is that we know what will happen when we get positive results. In terms of tactical adjustments, I think it is important to add to what has been working for the team. If I bring too many changes, it might affect the momentum and rhythm of the team. If I try and add on what has been working for the team, we stand a chance of competing and doing well,” Ramoreboli said.
Ramoreboli will bank on a balanced mix of experienced players and emerging talent. He has the likes of seasoned goalkeeper Goitseone Phoko, who has been the standout performer throughout the qualifiers. Another battle-hardened campaigner, Tumisang Orebonye ,has been instrumental in terms of drumming up the confidence of young players on the field. The work rate of the AS FAR target man is second to none. The Zebras will also rely on insights from reserve goalkeeper Kabelo Dambe, who is the sole survivor from the team that qualified for the 2012 AFCON. Ramoreboli’s vast knowledge of continental football will also come in handy tomorrow.
He has led Jwaneng Galaxy to extraordinary victories against big clubs in Africa, including Simba of Tanzania, Moroccan side Waydad, and Orlando Pirates of South Africa, amongst others. He has also twice defied the odds by leading Galaxy to the group stages of the CAF Champions League.
