Ntseki or Mkhalele for Zebras post BFA races against time to replace Ramoreboli

The race to succeed Morena Ramoreboli has exploded into a two-horse sprint, with South African heavyweights Molefi Ntseki and Helman Mkhalele emerging as the leading candidates for the Zebras hot seat, WeekendSport can exclusively reveal.

With the clock ticking toward Botswana’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying campaign, the Botswana Football Association finds itself under mounting pressure to install a new technical team – and fast.

WeekendSport has been reliably informed that the association is expected to name a caretaker coach as soon as Sunday, mere hours before the Zebras report to camp on September 13. The dramatic coaching search was set in motion by Ramoreboli’s decision to step away from the national team and join Pitso Mosimane’s technical staff as first assistant, leaving Lekidi with a consequential dilemma: gamble on an interim appointment for the September FIFA window, or move swiftly to secure a permanent replacement.

Two familiar South African names have now entered the frame.

Ntseki, the South African Football Association’s technical director and a former Bafana Bafana head coach, is understood to be among the candidates being weighed by the BFA as part of the contractual settlement between the two federations over Ramoreboli’s departure. Ramoreboli still had seven months remaining on his Zebras contract when he left, and any compensation matters are being addressed directly between the BFA and SAFA.

Mkhalele is the other name gaining traction. The former Bafana Bafana star was at the heart of South Africa’s technical setup during Hugo Broos’s successful tenure and was regarded by the Belgian himself as a possible successor. However, following Mosimane’s appointment, Mkhalele was cast aside; Mosimane opted against retaining him, bringing in his trusted lieutenants Musi Matlaba as performance analysis coach and Kabelo Rangoaga as fitness coach, with Ramoreboli installed as first assistant.

That rejection has now swung open an unexpected door for the Zebras.

A source within the Lekidi corridors said the executive committee was treating the matter as an emergency. “The executive committee is treating this as a matter of urgency,” the informant said. “The process to appoint the person who will lead the Zebras for the September qualifiers is already underway. An announcement will be made as soon as the internal processes and contractual engagements are concluded – well ahead of the FIFA window.”

The association has yet to make the crucial call: permanent coach or interim caretaker. But WeekendSport understands that Ramoreboli has not completely walked away from the operation. Despite his departure, the former Zebras coach remains in Botswana and is actively involved in the handover, which has included preliminary squad selection; meaning the incoming technical team will inherit a programme already in motion.

Ramoreboli Still Involved

The BFA insists that core preparations remain intact despite the sudden upheaval in the technical team. The new coach – whether interim or permanent – will, however, have the final say on squad composition before the team gets down to serious preparations.

“While any change in the technical team requires adjustment, the core preparations and programme remain intact,” a BFA spokesperson said. “The team will report to camp on September 13, and by then the interim or substantive technical team will be in place to conduct final selections. They will review and, where necessary, make adjustments to the squad.”

With players due in camp from September 13, the association has only a razor-thin window to settle the coaching question, introduce a new technical team and ensure the Zebras are properly equipped for their AFCON assignment.

The BFA, meanwhile, has refused to be drawn into speculation surrounding Ramoreboli’s contract and the financial implications of his exit. “As a matter of policy, the BFA is not in a position to discuss the details of Mr. Ramoreboli’s employment contract in public, but I can confirm that all contractual obligations, including release provisions, are being handled professionally. Any matters regarding compensation will be addressed directly between the two federations.”

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