September 8, 18:59IOL

SAFA confirms Mosimane's appointment as assistant to Bafana Bafana's team

SAFA and the Botswana Football Association officially announced on Tuesday that Morena Ramoreboli will join Pitso Mosimane's technical team as an assistant. Ramoreboli previously served as an interim coach for Bafana Bafana.

He will take up the vacant assistant position in Mosimane's new technical structure for the Bafana Bafana squad ahead of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers. This completes the formation of Mosimane's key coaching staff.

When Mosimane was introduced as Bafana's head coach last week, he mentioned including long-time protégés Kabelo Rangoaagi and Musi Matlaba in the technical team, but at that time, it was stated that one more assistant needed to be appointed.

Ramoreboli has now filled this role. This appointment also underscores Mosimane's decision to build the Bafana squad from coaches who, in his view, can complement his approach, rather than simply retaining members of Ugo Bruus' previous technical staff.

Former Bafana assistant, Helman Mkhalele, was not retained after Bruus' departure. Mosimane explained this by saying that coaches generally prefer to work with proven members of their own technical teams.

Ramoreboli is the latest addition to this structure, bringing international experience gained while coaching Botswana. The 46-year-old specialist also worked at the club level in South Africa and continentally, giving Mosimane an assistant with experience beyond the domestic league.

SAFA President Danny Jordan stated: 'We are happy to welcome Morena Ramoreboli back to the Bafana Bafana setup. He deserves this opportunity due to his achievements and continuous growth as a coach over many years.'

Ramoreboli's arrival comes just weeks before Bafana's campaign for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers begins. Mosimane faces the immediate task of getting his new technical team up and running. Bafana has matches scheduled against Guinea on the 26th of this month, followed by a meeting with Eritrea, leaving Mosimane and his staff very little time to adapt to the new roles.

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iol.co.zaSeptember 9, 18:59

Bolshena Ramoreboli could become a key assistant for Pitso Mosimane in the Bafana squad

Bolshena Ramoreboli, who managed the Botswana national team during the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, may play an important role as an assistant coach in the Bafana Bafana team.

Comments on Bafana

Pitso Mosimane realized that his new technical team at Bafana Bafana was missing one crucial element, and he has now found it in Moren Ramoreboli. When Mosimane was introduced as the Bafana coach last week, he confirmed the return of trusted staff members Kabelo Rangoaagi and Musi Matlaba to his technical structure.

However, there was one vacancy remaining. Mosimane made it clear that he still needed an assistant coach, and this position was filled by Ramoreboli, who left his post as head coach of Botswana to join the Bafana setup.

At first glance, this is just another coaching appointment. However, for Mosimane, this could be one of the most significant. Ramoreboli brings something entirely new to the technical team, which already consists of people whom Mosimane knows and trusts.

Experience as National Team Head Coach

He possesses recent experience managing a national team, having been responsible for Botswana, and his coaching career includes successes with 'Joanne Galaxy' and experience in continental football. These regional insights could be particularly valuable for Bafana as they prepare for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualification campaign.

Mosimane does not need an additional voice that simply agrees with him. He needs people around him who understand the African football landscape, are capable of quickly analyzing opponents and players, and are comfortable in the often unpredictable environment of international football. Ramoreboli has already done exactly that.

His appointment also marks a departure from Bafana's previous structure. Helman Mkhalele, who worked as an assistant to Hugo Broos since 2021, was not retained after the World Cup. Mosimane explained that coaches tend to bring along trusted members of their own technical teams.

Knowledge of the Bafana Environment

Thus, Ramoreboli is not just filling an open spot. He is becoming part of Mosimane's attempt to create an environment where the head coach has people who understand his football philosophy while also bringing their own experience. There is another aspect to his appointment. Ramoreboli is already familiar with the Bafana environment. He previously worked within the national team structure and has experience in South African football, but his time in Botswana gave him a different perspective on the game in the region.

This could be useful to Mosimane as he tries to build a Bafana team capable of consistently competing outside the borders of South Africa.

Little Time to Adapt Before AFCON Qualifiers

Time is extremely critical for this. Bafana is preparing for the 2027 AFCON qualifiers against Guinea and Eritrea at the end of this month, meaning Mosimane's new technical team will have little time to settle in. Rangoaagi knows Mosimane's methods, Matlaba knows his analytical requirements, and Ramoreboli now brings experience as a head coach. This combination could make the new assistant much more than just another member of the staff.

Ultimately, Ramoreboli could become one of the most important parts of Mosimane's project in Bafana.