Botswana national team coach Morena Ramoreboli has defended his decision to leave out several established stars from Botswana’s squad for the Mukuru Four Nations tournament, opting instead to field a youthful side in the 3-0 defeat to Zimbabwe.
Big names such as Tumisang Orebonye, Thatayaone Ditlhokwe, Kabelo Seakanyeng and Gape Mohutsiwa were notably absent.
However, the South African coach insists the move is part of a long-term rebuilding strategy rather than a short-term gamble. Speaking after the loss, Ramoreboli outlined a structured approach to national team development, emphasising that Botswana is currently navigating a necessary transition phase.
“In every football cycle we have four ways of developing a national team… we have a development phase, a coaching phase and a competition phase,” he told journalists.
“Before we get to coaching them, we need to develop them… and unfortunately, we find ourselves in this situation where we have to take the 21s and play them against people who are experienced.”
The COSAFA Cup-winning coach acknowledged the challenge of fast-tracking young talent while still competing at a senior international level, but maintained that exposing emerging players now is essential to future success.
‘WE NEED TO FACE THE REALITY’: RAMOREBOLI
“We gave them an opportunity because we know they are needed in the main team. To be in the main team, they must be competitive and ready or willing to be coached.”
Ramoreboli stressed that the decision was made with succession in mind as some senior players approach the latter stages of their international careers.
“We need to face the reality… You need to choose now whether you develop somebody for three years so that he can be ready… or you keep this one who can’t give you anything beyond the next three years.”
Despite omitting key figures who played a role in Botswana’s 2025 AFCON qualification, the former Jwaneng Galaxy mentor was quick to emphasise that the contributions of senior players have not been overlooked.
“Those that have helped us to qualify for AFCON, we need to give them the respect they deserve… but at the same time we need to say we know that they’re not going to be with us forever.”
He also dismissed suggestions that the move could create divisions within the squad, insisting the objective is to create depth.
“We’re not creating competition between the group that played in the Africa Cup of Nations [AFCON] and this group. We’re trying to build a team. To build a team, we need everybody… our players are all important, and in my face, they are all equal. We know what we’re trying to do to ensure we don’t take 12 years to qualify for AFCON… everything we’re trying to do now is to make sure we build a competitive team.”
Botswana will face Malawi in the third and fourth-place playoff on Tuesday in Francistown. Ramoreboli will get another opportunity to give his youthful team a run.
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