Hours after Jwaneng Galaxy coach, Morena Ramoreboli indicated his readiness to take up the Zebras job, the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has confirmed his appointment on an interim basis.
He steps into the shoes of Didier Gomes Da Rosa who resigned immediately after the 1-0 victory over Cape Verde last week. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday evening following his side's 1-0 win over Township Rollers, Ramoreboli said he was ready to take up the Zebras offer. "To be honest with you, there has never been any contact with us or with Jwaneng Galaxy but I think one has to be honest. This country has given me so much as a coach and why would I really be afraid to pay back the trust and the loyalty this country had in me. My biggest project is what is happening at Jwaneng Galaxy and I would love to see Jwaneng Galaxy competing and winning the league once again. But to be honest with you if you are given the responsibility to lead the nation, you should sacrifice everything and try to make the nation happy," Ramoreboli said.
He will take charge of the remaining two games in the qualifiers, a home game against Mauritania on November 11 and an away tie to Egypt on November 19. The Zebras need three points from the two games to secure a berth at the AFCON finals, which will be the first time since 2012. Quizzed if he would be interested in the job on a full-time basis, Ramoreboli said it would depend on the agreement between his club and BFA. "I think that one depends on what the country wants and it also depends on what Jwaneng Galaxy wants because I think during this period it is important that both parties agree what it is important for the country and for the club. As a coach you are contracted to Jwaneng Galaxy so for me I think (about) respecting and honouring the agreement I have with Jwaneng Galaxy. I think it is only fair for Jwaneng Galaxy and the BFA to sit down and say this is what we want, what do you think? And from there it should come to me, as in what do you want? I think the most important thing is to respect the trust and responsibility given to you whether it is at club or national team level," Ramoreboli said.
In a statement, the BFA said Ramoreboli will inherit the technical team left behind by Da Rosa. The association said Ramoreboli's appointment is meant to ease anxiety amongst supporters.
He will take charge of the remaining two games in the qualifiers, a home game against Mauritania on November 11 and an away tie to Egypt on November 19. The Zebras need three points from the two games to secure a berth at the AFCON finals, which will be the first time since 2012. Quizzed if he would be interested in the job on a full-time basis, Ramoreboli said it would depend on the agreement between his club and BFA. "I think that one depends on what the country wants and it also depends on what Jwaneng Galaxy wants because I think during this period it is important that both parties agree what it is important for the country and for the club. As a coach you are contracted to Jwaneng Galaxy so for me I think (about) respecting and honouring the agreement I have with Jwaneng Galaxy. I think it is only fair for Jwaneng Galaxy and the BFA to sit down and say this is what we want, what do you think? And from there it should come to me, as in what do you want? I think the most important thing is to respect the trust and responsibility given to you whether it is at club or national team level," Ramoreboli said.
In a statement, the BFA said Ramoreboli will inherit the technical team left behind by Da Rosa. The association said Ramoreboli's appointment is meant to ease anxiety amongst supporters.
