With Kaizer Chiefs in search of a new coach, Botswana’s reigning Footballer of the Season Benson Kitso Mangolo says they feared their coach, Morena Ramoreboli, would leave them for Amakhosi.
Ramoreboli has done well for himself in recent years, winning the 2021 COSAFA Cup and the 2022/23 Botswana Premier League title. Mangolo has had the privilege to work with the Free State-born mentor and believes in his abilities.
Ramoreboli’s mentor, Molefi Ntseki, was recently sacked by Kaizer Chiefs after an unconvincing start to the 2023/24 DStv Premiership season. Ntseki, who worked with Ramoreboli at African Warriors in the third tier division in 2008, was only in the Chiefs hot seat for four months.
Following his exit, Mangolo says they were so convinced he was on his way out of the club.
“Everyone here in Botswana, if you talk about Morena, they associate him with a potential move to either our national team or Kaizer Chiefs.
“Last week, he came to us as players and said he wanted to clarify something [the Chiefs rumours]. There were a lot of rumours. We thought he would get that post for the national team. Everyone thought he was going to Kaizer Chiefs,” Mangolo told FARPost.
WHAT MORENA RAMOREBOLI SAID ABOUT COACHING IN SOUTH AFRICA
Mangolo recalls an interview Ramoreboli did recently where he highlighted his desire to coach back home. “We know his dream is to coach in his home country and I believe he has what it takes,” added Mangolo.
Galaxy addressed the rumours in the media, with spokesperson Tankiso Morake, expressing optimism that Ramoreboli will not ditch the club any time soon.
“He is very loyal to the club. He has a project at Galaxy. We sat down with him. He has assured us that he is not going anywhere,” Morake was quoted by Mmegi. “He has indicated that when he wants to leave, he will timely and professionally notify the club. A lot of big clubs have been pursuing him, but he is very professional and respects his contract with Galaxy.”
After winning the Footballer of the Season award ahead of Tumisang Orebonye of USM Alger in Algeria and Chiefs defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, he has credited the South African coach.
“He’s a good coach. I knew I’d achieve a lot under him. I won Footballer of the Year in Botswana, competing with Orebonye and TT.”
He shared what makes the COSAFA Cup-winning coach special. “Morena is a great coach because he engages with his players. He has a unique philosophy, and it’s centred around relating well with his players. That’s what makes him great. He’s always learning from coaches, and he’s humble to learn from others.”
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