It’s very seldom that foreign coaches resist the urge to join capital city clubs or other African teams after building a foundation with an out-of-town club in Botswana, but not when your name is Morena Ramoreboli.
Ramoreboli is on a new one-year contract extension with the Jwaneng outfit. The club believes he is motivated to build a new football dynasty in the country with his long-term vision.
He rejected offers from around the African continent to stay in charge of the mining town club, according to the team’s Public Relations Officer, Tankiso Morake.
VERY PROFESSIONAL COACH
“Morena is a very professional coach and is very ambitious. He believes in building a team and accomplishing what he started. Unlike many other coaches, money is secondary to him. He is motivated by building a legacy. We gave him a platform to coach at the CAF Champions League level, and other coaches often view that as a CV booster or a launching pad before seeking other jobs, but he is different. When you sit and negotiate with him, he listens. His eyes are fixated on the bigger picture. He had offers outside the country, but his love for the club influenced his decision to stay,” Morake told this publication.
RAMOREBOLI’S MAN MANAGEMENT SKILLS
Ramoreboli has been described as a “father figure” whose open-door policy has resulted in a smooth working environment at the club. “He is like a father to the players and has regular one on one sessions with the players. Coach is a direct communicator. If he has a problem with a player, he initiates talks and resolves the matter to avoid turmoil,” Morake explained.
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Morake also emphasised that the Galaxy coach has no favourites in the squad and gives the squad equal opportunities. “Pretty much the whole squad had first-team action last season. He picks his team on merit, this has kept the squad on their toes, and their intensity is a testament to the coach’s knack for not letting the players rest on their laurels. This has built a good relationship between him and the players. They will always perform for him.”
A MAN OF THE PEOPLE
The South African coach has settled in Jwaneng like a duck to water. More than anything, his humility has brought him closer to the Jwaneng community, according to Morake.
“The Jwaneng community has welcomed him with open arms. He is a humble man, which has endeared him to our community. He always has time to chat and take pictures with the club’s supporters. He has also interacted with the elders and the leadership of Jwaneng; we can learn a lot from him and how he carries himself,” Morake concluded.
Galaxy will begin their quest to defend their league title in September when the Botswana Football League is expected to return for the 2023-2024 season. They will aim to become the third club to win successive league titles in Botswana in the last 10 years.