Do or die for Zebras

The national men’s soccer team, the Zebras, are three points away from qualifying for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations Final. And November 15 is the team’s do or die day as they host Mauritania at the Obed Itani Chilume Stadium in Francistown. Zebras’ Interim Head Coach, Morena Ramoreboli is upfront about the significance of this moment. 

According to the Botswana Football Association (BFA), he held nothing back when responding to a question on their level of preparedness. 

Ramoreboli declared to the BFA online platform: “This is a National Duty. I don’t believe in excuses like we never had enough time. We have to sacrifice everything we have. Even if given just 2 days, we have to fight.” 

The Zebras improved their prospects of qualifying after completing a back-to-back 1-0 win over Cape Verde under previous coach Didier Gomes da Rosa; who left many shocked when he announced his abrupt resignation last month. 

The Zebras hope to reverse the 0-1 loss they suffered to Mauritania in the first leg. Failure to win by the Zebras will put them in a difficult position of having to visit African giants Egypt in Cairo with the hope of getting a win. The Zebras lost 0-4 at home to Egypt recently. 

Tickets for the game have long been selling with organisers drumming up locals to attend the game in high numbers