Ramoreboli on struggles for SA jobs and international experience
Jwaneng Galaxy coach Morena Ramoreboli says he’ll never complain about not getting a job in South Africa as he looks back at the rare experience he has acquired from working outside South Africa.
The man from Rosendal in Free State is well-known for leading Maluti FET College to their famous 4-1 victory over Orlando Pirates in the Nedbank Cup in 2013.
He also mentored African Warriors and worked as an assistant coach at Bloemfontein Celtic. Ramoreboli also had a short stint with Royal Eagles before he served as an assistant coach of SA under-17.
Just like any local coach, he had a desire to manage a team in the South African top-flight.
However, with local opportunities lacking, he took offers from the neighbouring countries as he coached Lesotho’s Lioli twice prior to making a move to Galaxy in Botswana.
With these tenures, Ramoreboli says he has learnt how to work outside one’s country and manage different groups with different cultures and beliefs.
RAMOREBOLI SAYS WORKING OUTSIDE SA HAS SHARPENED HIM
“It’s not easy to work away from home but at the same time, let’s be honest you can’t be at home and complain that people are not hiring you while other clubs out there are looking for coaches,” Ramoreboli told FARPost.
“I was fortunate that Jwaneng Galaxy gave me an opportunity. And I didn’t even think twice when I took the opportunity.
“I knew that I had to do my best and make sure that people get to know that there’s Jwaneng Galaxy in Botswana and in the continent.
“And I’m happy with the progress that we have made so far. And personally, I think I have grown as a coach, I have become a better person.
“It has helped me a lot to understand different cultures. This started when I went to Lesotho, where I learnt how to manage Basotho, how to manage Batswana and how to manage South Africans.
“So, that thing on it’s own, it helps you to understand that we’re dealing with different groups and beliefs. So, you need to find the way of getting the best out of every individual you’re working with.
‘I’M GETTING AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE CONTINENT’
“Honestly speaking I’m very grateful for the opportunity and I’ll never in my entire life, complain that maybe I didn’t get an opportunity at home.
“I’m getting an opportunity in the continent, I’m an African wherever I go, that’s my home.”
Ramoreboli has also taken charge of Bafana Bafana as a stand-in coach twice and led them to the COSAFA Cup title in 2021. In the 2021/22 season, he made history, taking Jwaneng Galaxy to their first CAF Champions League group stages.
Meanwhile, he’s in line to achieve the same feat as Galaxy beat Pirates 1-0 in the second preliminary round first leg in Botswana. The return tie will take place on Friday, 29 September at Orlando Stadium.
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