OAITSE MATHALA takes a positive look at Tshosane’s appointment Botswana Football Association (BFA) this week announced the appointment of Stanley Tshosane as the national team (The Zebras) headcoach until mid 2012. This means his contract will run until after the 2012 the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament. Tshosane has been the team caretaker since the departure of Colywn Rowe last year. His appointment however, was not welcomed by many football lovers around the country. They called for his sacking after the just ended COSAFA Castle Cup tournament played in Zimbabwe which the national team was knocked-out in the quarterfinals by the hosts and eventual winners.After his appointment, he faces a big challenge to prove critics wrong and that can only be achieved by winning games. The duration of his contract shows that upon his appointment, the BFA was targeting the 2012 AFCON finals. Tshosane will have two COSAFA tournaments to prepare for a first ever appearance in the continent’s biggest tournament, which he will have to first find a ticket through the qualifiers. The introduction of a number of young and less experienced players such as Mogakolodi Tsotso Ngele, Ofentse Nato, Ontse Ntesa and Botlhe Moralo should maybe be considered as the beginning of the enforcement era towards 2012 by former Botswana Defence Force (BDF) soldier. The supporters however, are not and will never be convinced by the so called preparations but rather by wins. Some supporters have come to the extent of saying they will no longer pay to watch the national team play. Therefore, Tshosane will have to fight with all he has to win the hearts of supporters and fill up that eastern Panda stand of the National Stadium, but to do that he needs the support of the very same supporters. One would wonder how really he is going to make it happen for himself by himself, and most importantly for the supporters.Tshosane has in the past performed well at club level. Apart from his last season with BDF X1, he made the army side a force to reckon with in a couple of years winning league and cup titles. He will have to transfer that form into the senior national team.

Comments (0)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Write comment

Email Name		Comment smaller | bigger
		Subscribe via email (Registered users only) I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage. Add Comment Preview