The future is very bright for Zebras
| Friday June 6, 2008 00:00
I know the dust has not even settled yet but the sacking of Zebras coach Mr. Colwyn Rowe was long over due. Today this epistle will not dwell much on stuff deemed history although here and there salt might be rubbed into the wounds to substantiate my case.
We all knew by now that Rowe was simply 'destroying national pride' to borrow from Sunday Standard' sport journalist Tshepo Bogosing' article and how much he infuriated the supporters at large as evidenced by my past article 'Chewing Football Bones' and the recent near attacks at the Madagascar game. It is a pleasing situation indeed to see that the mockery that was the senior national team will come to an end.
Let me commend the BFA top brass for a job well done though the doubting Thomas had to cost us two crucial points first against Madagascar at home for god sake! They must also be reminded that the sacking of coaches is a normal procedure in football, it is not a sin that has to be obscured with words such as mutual decision. If a coach does not deliver he gets the boot period!
Anyway moving forward, I want to congratulate Lieutenant Colonel Stanley Tshosane and Kenneth Mogae on their appointment as the head coach and assistant coach respectively. Of special mention and more deservingly should be Lieutenant Colonel Tshosane who has shown tremendous patience for this post.
The reasons for this pro - Tshosane stance are quite compelling. First he was the assistant when former head coach Jelusic Vesselin who is credited for the revolution of Botswana football was at the helm. Secondly though now facing relegation play offs, his former team BDF X1 has won the league many times when he was in charge. His record as well as the credentials speaks volume. One major factor is the discipline he will certainly bring that is synonymous with the army men especially when I have noticed that of particular concern is the chorus echoed by many a people that favouritism and complacency has become the norm at the Zebras camp.
The same often, unfit players dominate the camp while the youngsters particularly under 23s get sidelined. It is not a secret that Batswana would love to see these boys getting into the thick of things because they have shown they can deliver.
Typical example would be the Nigerian team, Only about a year or two ago their football was a facing a crisis because they could not find a replacement for middlefield dynamo Austin Jay Jay Okocha and many of their senior team players had reached maturity. They did not have to look any further because their then U23 which forms the nucleus of the current squad were there to feed the senior team.
The team which is comprised of youngsters such as John Obi Mikel made 2010 world cup host South Africa, who until recently had the most experienced coach (Carlos Alberto Parreira) ever, look like they were on a wild goose chase on Sunday (01/06/08)'s nations cup qualifier match in Abuja, Nigeria. The point being emphasized here is that we as Batswana tend to be reluctant on issues that have much more obvious decisions, We had to get to the bridge first to see the reality of the situation Unfortunately, sometimes it is too late by then.
I am not one of the people who believe that it is very late surprisingly because Mr. Tshosane knows local football, in other words he knows which players have been on form and more importantly who is needed for the job. As an army man I trust he will not be afraid to get rid of the deadwoods! Not when Rowe managed to hoodwink everyone into his theatricals or you may call it gimmicks he pulled when he converted certain players to unfamiliar positions.
The only difference between the two coaches would be the latter would be delivering the mandate of the supporters that is, the remaining players must be fused with the U23s.The nation certainly does not want a situation whereby when we think the problem has been solved , there are still evil forces lingering around the Zebras camp.
We must guard against these monsters which include the players' allowance issue and old matured players who I have a feeling will not step down much like our neighbour friend President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
This is not saying the youngsters must rest on their laurels because it will be tough. They must work hard and justify their inclusion into the national team. Gone are the days when selection was based on ridiculous benchmarks like he is a special type of player' or 'I cannot find any other player that can play in that position!' This is not negativity but warnings (constructive criticism) that Mr. Tshosane ought to know exactly what will happen to him if he acts like his invincible predecessor. The premier league is not a joke; it is there to feed the national team The lower leagues are where you go if you want to unearth your own raw talent. Talk about being 'the most successful coach in Botswana' when you inherited the squad and messed it up!
On a concluding note, I just want to say our chances have not been dented that much, as I believe we can still make it to the second round of groups for 2010 World Cup qualifiers. It is just a matter of getting it right for Lieutenant Colonel Stanley Tshosane and Mr. Kenneth Mogae, of course with the right support from BFA. Mr. Tosh Kgotlele (BFA CEO) indeed the players need psychologist as soon as possible. Remember it is one thing to say something and another to implement it. Otherwise very soon the masses will be back at the stadium, in fact the turn out for our next game will be much better. Good luck Zebras, the nation is supporting you all the way!
Thebeetsile 'DaMistyK' Moseki (Loyal Zebras supporter)
Monash University (Johannesburg, SA)