Who replaces Da Rosa? ...French coach jumps ship and leaves nation guessing
Following back-to-back unexpected victories against Cape Verde in the 2025 AFCON qualifiers, with the most recent being a 1-0 home win this past Tuesday, Didier Gomes Da Rosa has dropped a bombshell, announcing his departure just as hope and excitement were building for Botswana's qualification to the 2025 AFCON. The Frenchman's depature begs the question as to who will replace him at this crucial stage of the 2025 AFCON qualifiers.
The Zebras currently sit second in their group with six points, all collected in the space of five days. Egypt leads the group with 12 points and has already secured qualification for the tournament. Meanwhile, Cape Verde and Mauritania are both level with three points each.
With just two games remaining—an away fixture against Egypt and a home match against Mauritania, the Zebras still have a chance to qualify, but Da Rosa's exit has thrown a wrench into those hopes.
Local football pundit, Baboloki Mokete commented on the situation, saying: 'If Da Rosa had stayed, the team would have stood a better chance of qualifying. These back-to-back wins were a huge confidence booster for both him and the players. With two games to go, he was well-placed to guide the team through to qualification, especially with Cape Verde still having to face Egypt, and us playing Mauritania.'
Mokete added that Da Rosa's sudden departure could disrupt the momentum and work he had built over his tenure. He emphasized the need to quickly assemble a strong technical team to guide the Zebras through the two remaining fixtures.
When asked who should take over, Mokete acknowledged the complexity of the situation, suggesting that a co-coaching setup might be the best solution. He proposed that local coach Pontsho Moloi, who worked closely with Da Rosa, could take the lead, with support from another experienced local coach. Among the names mentioned were Morena Ramoreboli, who has enjoyed success with Jwaneng Galaxy, including multiple league titles and back-to-back CAF Champions League group stage appearances, and Philemon Makwengwe, is another respected local figure.
Ultimately, the decision lies with the Botswana Football Association (BFA), but Mokete stressed the importance of stability and leadership in these crucial remaining fixtures.
Da Rosa, known for his nomadic tendencies, often spends less than 14 months with a team before departing. Since 2020, he has coached six different teams, including the Zebras. His tenure at Al-Merreikh SC from November 2020 to January 2021 saw a 60% win rate, followed by a 75% win rate at Simba SC between February and October 2021. He had a less successful stint with Mauritania, posting a career-low 12% win rate. His subsequent positions included Al-Wehdat (72% win rate), Al-Ain FC (39%), and Al-Taraji Club (37%), before taking over the Zebras.
Moreover, he has been recently viewed as the coach who understood the philosophy of the national team and the caliber of players. He has since adopted a defensive and cautious play, characterized by speedy attackers that aim to create several opportunities. There is a balance between defense and attack, with every single player involved in defending and having a couple of players transitioning quickly on the counter to get a goal, the team had the tenacity to sit back, absorb pressure and in turn frustrating the opponents. Now, as Botswana’s hopes for AFCON 2025 qualification hang in the balance, all eyes turn to the BFA to chart a way forward.