Frenchman Didier Gomes da Rosa (54) was appointed Botswana coach on November 3. The former Mauritania coach has quickly got down to work, as the Zebras host Mozambique and Guinea in Francistown on November 16 and 21, as part of Matchday 1 and 2 of the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Almost two years after the premature end of your adventure in Mauritania, following the AFCON 2022 in Cameroon, you're back in Africa, and more specifically in Botswana. In fact, you're the first Frenchman to lead the Zebras...
Since leaving Mauritania, I've coached Al-Wehdat in Jordan, then two clubs in Saudi Arabia, Al-Ain and Al-Taraji. One day, I was contacted by an African federation (Libya, editor's note), which was looking for a coach. I was asked to watch the team in a qualifier for the CAN in Côte d'Ivoire, against Botswana. The Zebras won (1-0, June 17), and I really liked their performance. Then, a few weeks ago, I learned that their coach, Mogomotsi Mpote, had not been retained by the federation. So I prepared a project and applied. After that, things moved quickly and I was hired.
How long is your contract?
I'm under contract until the end of the season, next June (with Bostwana).But the contract is renewable. We'll take stock at that point. I'm in charge of the senior national team, but I'll also be looking at the youth teams, both men's and women's. It's a vast and interesting project. It's a vast and interesting project, and there's a lot of work involved. Of course, there are two matches coming up, against Mozambique and Guinea, two good teams who will be taking part in the AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire, for the World Cup qualifiers. Two matches you'll be playing at home, in Francistown...
Yes, in a beautiful stadium. Playing two matches at home (in Botswana) is a good opportunity to get off to an interesting start in this group, which also includes Algeria, the big favourites, Uganda, who are a good team, and Somalia, about whom we don't know much. These two matches in Francistown are an opportunity to give the group a good dynamic, if we can pull them off. We're going to try to do well in this group, play good matches and pick up points. We're well aware that several teams are stronger than us. There's one direct qualifier per group, and the four best runners-up will play off.
It's going to be very difficult, but our ambition is to do well. Our aim is to qualify for the AFCON 2025 in Morocco.
What can you tell us about Botswana soccer?
I've seen some of the national team's matches, and I've also been to a number of matches in the local league, where there are some quality teams in Botswana, such as Township Rollers, Jwaneng Galaxy, Gaborone United and Orapa United. There are well-structured clubs and others with far fewer resources. The soccer played in Botswana is comparable to that of South Africa: a dynamic, forward-looking game. There are some quality players here.
Players who export very little...
It's true that a lot of internationals play in the local league. There are a few expatriates, in Algeria, Morocco, Vietnam and South Africa. With the staff and the federation, we're going to look at which Botswanan players playing abroad could apply for the national team.In fact, some players have already approached the Botswana federation.
Are you already settled in Gaborone?
Yes, I've taken an apartment in the city. I've already travelled around the country to watch a few matches. I already feel very comfortable in Botswana. It's a beautiful country, calm, safe, the people are friendly and they really love soccer.I wanted to come back and work in Africa, a continent where my coaching career really began. I've worked in a number of countries (Sudan, Algeria, Rwanda, Mauritania, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Guinea). I had contacts with Libya, but also Afghanistan, but I really wanted to become coach of Botswana. I'm very happy to have been chosen by the federation, the project is interesting and I can't wait for November 16, against Mozambique... I also want us to be able to play friendly matches against teams qualified for the final phase, possibly before the AFCON in Côte d'Ivoire. Botswana need to be able to play teams other than Lesotho or Eswatini...
