AFCON: Ramoreboli looks for Botswana to bounce back quickly against Benin

After a decisive defeat to Senegal to kick off their 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco, Botswana coach Morena Ramoreboli emphasized recovery and having a short memory ahead of their second Group D clash against Benin on Saturday in Rabat.

“We are in a tournament and the most important thing about the tournament is how quick you recover,” Ramoreboli advised in pre-match comments. The Zebras fell 0-3 to their West African opponents on Tuesday in Tangier with few positives to take from the match.

“The most important thing about us going into the next match…we need to recover and we have to recover quickly,” the head coach said.

Looking ahead to Benin, a fixture that presents the best opportunity for the Zebras to earn their first-ever win at the competition, Ramoreboli expressed his optimism about his team’s preparations: “We have prepared for the game, we have done our part. We quickly worked on areas where we maybe did not do well in the previous match.”

Zebras captain and defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe also preferred to look forward rather than dwell on the opening match: “Obviously, we forget about the first game and focus on what is in front of you…that is what you are in control of. The mood is fine, I don’t think anything is changed. We are looking forward to tomorrow’s encounter.”

The opening match from Saturday’s slate of four matches is a must-win for both teams. Group D favorites Senegal and DR Congo, both winners in the opening round, will clash in the second match of the day.

In addition to recovering from a rough debut in Morocco, the Zebras will have to contend with a Benin side that will be confident.

Despite missing several key veteran stars, the Cheetahs put up an impressive performance in a 0-1 defeat to the DRC where some talented young players gained valuable experience after doing well for youth national team players. Top scorer Steve Mounié is approaching full fitness as well as skilled winger Junior Olaitan and powerful central defender Mohamed Tijani, all important contributors during the qualification campaign.

Botswana, led by Ditlhokwe as well as key attackers Kabelo Seakanyeng and Tumisang Orebonye, will hope to earn the nation’s first-ever points at an AFCON. In the midst of their second appearance at the finals, the Zebras dropped all three matches on their debut at the 2012 edition co-hosted by Gabon and Equatorial Guinea.