How Morena Ramoreboli agonisingly delayed mourning his mother to make history
In the heart of Botswana, Jwaneng Galaxy coach Morena Ramoreboli agonisingly delayed mourning his late mother to make history.
The 43-year-old faced an unimaginable dilemma: mourn the loss of his mother or lead his team to a potential double championship.
When the news of his mother’s passing came, Ramoreboli was in pursuit of his second consecutive league title. He was facing fierce competition from Gaborone United and Township Rollers, the traditional football powerhouses of Botswana. The Orange FA Cup was also up for the taking.
With two crucial league games remaining and the coveted title hanging in the balance, Ramoreboli made the agonising decision to stay in Botswana and postpone his grieving.
“We had two games left when I received the news about my mom’s passing. I had to remain, and we had to prepare. I couldn’t just leave,” Ramoreboli shared with FARPost, his voice filled with emotion. “When God gives us strength to face certain things, we must be thankful.”
Driven by his mother’s love for football and his unwavering commitment to the team, Ramoreboli pushed through the pain. His dedication paid off as Jwaneng Galaxy secured the league title, fulfilling his mother’s dream of seeing him succeed.
“I think I was fortunate to be born into a football family. My mom loved football. We made sacrifices for the game. You won’t make the sacrifice if you’re not passionate and prepared to go the extra mile.
“We were left with two games. I had to choose between mourning and not getting the championship or getting the championship and then mourning.
“If my mother were alive, she would have wanted me to work and achieve bigger things,” Ramoreboli reflected. “She was special to me.”
BITTERSWEET TRIUMPH FOR MORENA RAMOREBOLI
Two days after laying his mother to rest, Ramoreboli returned to Botswana to prepare his team for the Orange Cup final against Orapa United, a match they would win 2-1. With the double victory secured, Ramoreboli can now focus on grieving the loss of his beloved mother.
The triumph was bittersweet, but Ramoreboli found solace in knowing he had made his mother proud. Ramoreboli’s coaching journey in Botswana has been transformative. He credits the supportive environment for his growth as a coach and expresses his willingness to continue his tenure in the country.
“The environment here has made me a better coach,” affirmed the Cosafa Cup-winning mentor. “If you ask ‘would you want to continue in Botswana,’ yes. For how long, ‘as long as I grow as a coach’.”
While Ramoreboli remains open to returning to South Africa and coaching in the DStv Premiership, he emphasises the importance of timing. For now, he is focused on strengthening his team in Botswana, seeking new talent to propel them to the knockout stage of the CAF Champions League.
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