He took Botswana back to AFCON. Now Pitso wants him at Bafana
JOHANNESBURG — Morena Ramoreboli is leaving his position as Botswana national team head coach to become Pitso Mosimane’s assistant at Bafana Bafana, giving South Africa’s new coach another experienced African football operator ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The South African Football Association and Botswana Football Association confirmed the move in a joint announcement, ending Ramoreboli’s tenure with the Zebras and bringing him back into the Bafana setup.
His appointment fills the assistant coach position Mosimane left open when his new technical team was announced following his return to the national team. Kabelo Rangoaga and Musi Matlaba had already been confirmed as part of Mosimane’s staff.
Ramoreboli arrives with a strong record in Botswana. He won two Botswana Premier League titles with Jwaneng Galaxy and twice guided the club into the CAF Champions League group stage, including notable victories against Orlando Pirates and Moroccan giants Wydad Casablanca.
His national team record provides an even stronger reason for Bafana’s interest.
Ramoreboli helped guide Botswana back to the Africa Cup of Nations after a 12 year absence before being appointed permanent Zebras head coach in 2025. The Botswana Football Association said it would have preferred to retain him but accepted the significance of the opportunity to join South Africa.
He is also familiar with Bafana. Ramoreboli previously guided South Africa to the 2021 COSAFA Cup title without conceding a goal during the tournament, giving Mosimane an assistant who already understands the national team environment.
SAFA president Danny Jordaan said Ramoreboli’s understanding of South African and African football, together with his ability to build competitive teams, would complement Mosimane’s approach.
There will be little time for the new coaching combination to settle.
Bafana begin their 2027 AFCON qualifying campaign against Guinea at Orlando Stadium on 26 September before facing Eritrea in Cairo four days later.
For Ramoreboli, the move represents an unusual career decision to leave a senior national team head coaching position for an assistant role. But it also places one of Southern Africa’s increasingly respected coaches alongside the continent’s most decorated African club coach as South Africa begins its next AFCON campaign.
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