Botswana national team coach Morena Ramoreboli has highlighted the
significance of all four Africa Cup of Nations semi-finalists being led by
African coaches, while also naming his favourite for the title.
Ramoreboli, the only South African coach at the tournament, led Botswana in
their second-ever AFCON appearance, though their campaign ended in the group
stages without a point or goal.
He now watches as the final four teams—Morocco, Nigeria, Egypt, and
Senegal—are all guided by African-born tacticians: Walid Regragui (Morocco),
Hossam Hassan (Egypt), Eric Chelle (Nigeria), and Pape Thiaw (Senegal).
“It’s a very proud moment, honestly,” Ramoreboli told PSLSA. “We need to
celebrate ourselves and be proud. As Africans, there is this mentality that
everything from Europe is better. But when you see our own brothers
competing at that stage up to the semi-finals, we start to say Africa is
going somewhere. This tournament was successful in terms of showing us where
we are as countries.”
The semi-finals pit North Africa against West Africa, and Ramoreboli
believes the west will prevail.
“It’s a difficult one, but I think it’s between Senegal and Nigeria. Nigeria
is peaking at the right time and they are convincing me that they can win
the competition,” he said.
The semi-finals take place tonight, with Senegal facing Egypt followed by
Morocco versus Nigeria.
