The second edition of the Morena Ramoreboli Community Shield football tournament will culminate with the crowning of this year’s champions in the U15 and U17 categories on 30 November. Six clubs, three in each category, have secured semifinal berths after convincing victories in matches played on Saturday, 9 November.
Two clubs, one in each category, are expected to fill the remaining slots after crunch matches to be played at the Mangaung Build It Sports Ground and Phase 2 Sports Ground on Friday, 15 November. The fixtures will see the Dikoena Stars FC take on Mata FC, the U17 defending champions, while the U15 match will see Knowledge Stars FC tussle with FC Revival.
Motebang Mosala, tournament director, says following the unfortunate withdrawal of potential partners, the eight clubs (instead of 16) were enlisted for this year’s edition of the competition, organised under the auspices of the Safa Local Football Association of Bloemfontein.
The association stages this tournament to recognise Ramoreboli for strides he continues making in football, and epitomises the fairy tale concept that from humble beginnings comes greatness. His contribution entails the discovery of talented players.
Ramoreboli’s coaching career in the major league began in the grassroots league in the mid-90s. It began with the now defunct amateur club, Juventus, with whom he won some competitions.
Mosala said the semifinals and final were postponed to ensure Ramoreboli’s availability.
Dubbed a serial winner for his knack of plotting the defeats of powerhouse clubs in continental competitions, Ramoreboli is currently engaged with the Botswana senior men’s national team. The Botswana Football Association recently appointed him as the interim head coach of its national team, the Zebras. Ramoreboli described the decision as a great honour.
Ramoreboli is still enlisted by Botswana giants, Jwaneng Galaxy FC, whom he guided to winning the Botswana Premier League three times consecutively. He had a stint in Lesotho, coaching Lioli FC – one of the top teams in the neighbouring country.
On home front, his highlights include leading Bafana Bafana to win the Cosafa Cup in 2021, and promoting the African Warriors and the Maluti TVET College clubs to South Africa’s second-tier professional league.
