The national executive committee (NEC) of the Botswana Football Association (BFA) is expected to call an emergency meeting this week to discuss the future of national team head coach Stanley Tshosane. This comes after the Zebras were walloped 3-0 by Mali in the 2013 African Nations Cup qualifier in Bamako on Saturday night.
The Zebras were reduced to spectators by the Malian side in a match which was played before a bumper crowd in the West African country. ┬áAfter the game, supporters used different networks, like Twitter and Facebook, to air their displeasure at the team’s performance.
Sources indicate that BFA vice-president Technical, Ernest Nthobelang, who travelled with the team to Mali is expected to present his report to the NEC.
“I don’t see Stan (Tshosane) continuing as a head coach. The general feeling is that he should be fired considering the recent performance of the team. Since qualifying for AFCON games in Gabon, the Zebras have failed to show any improvement. The report for the weekend’s game, which will be presented to the president (Tebogo Sebego), is going to have a serious effect on the future of the coach,” said a source at BFA.
The source further revealed that the NEC is considering to revamp the whole technical team.
“It’s no secret that Tshosane is not in good books with the new NEC. What could delay his dismissal is that, currently, the BFA is under the spotlight after Police XI and Security Systems’ case (after the membership was ceased.),” continued the source.
It is alleged that Tshosane’s decision to travel to Bamako with a makeshift defence is said to have not gone down well with his bosses.
Ndiyapo Letsholathebe and Tshepo Motlhabankwe are some of the experienced campaigners who were left out of Tshosane’s squad. The likes of Pontsho Moloi, Onalethata Tshekiso and Patrick Lenyeletse are some of the attacking players who were also not considered which made the Zebras look ordinary.
Since the beginning of the year, the Zebras have not won an official game something which has further fuelled calls to fire Tshosane.
“I don’t think Tshosane has any plans to improve the current performance. His team looked ordinary at the weekend and it is not helping his case. I was surprised to see him sending (Keabetswe Jenamiso) into deep end as a right-back on his debut. Jenamiso is a centre-back and there is no doubt about that. I would not be surprised if they decide to fire him,” said a Premier League coach who wanted to remain anonymous. ┬á
Efforts to get a comment from BFA president proved futile.
Tshosane won the hearts of many people when he qualified the team for their maiden appearance at AFCON games which were played earlier this year. Though the Zebras were eliminated in the group stages at AFCON, his team was given a heroes’ welcome upon arrival in Gaborone. He penned a new three-year contract early this year which might give the association a headache if they are to terminate it.
