The Voice (Francistown)
Dubani-wa-Dubani
24 July 2007
Zebras coach Colywn Rowe says tomorrow's game against Zambia in Orapa is what the boys need ahead of the Cosafa Castle Cup assignment.
The Zebras will play Namibia in the second game of the two-day football festival that will also feature Angola and Namibia at the National Stadium next weekend.
Speaking to Voice Sport at his office on Wednesday afternoon Rowe said:
"Zambia are ideal opponents. They are a good team and play the 4-4-2 formation like Namibia. They will give us good practice ahead of the COSAFA Castle Cup games."
Rowe has called 23 players to camp as he prepares for the COSAFA Castle Cup including South Africa based Dipsy Selolwane and Michael Mogaladi. Selolwane joined his mates on Wednesday while Mogaladi was expected in camp yesterday evening camp for the friendly game against Zambia.
The Englishman also intimated to Voice Sport that the rise in FIFA has given the boys a much-needed boost. The Zebras have risen four places up the rankings from last month and are now ranked 105.
"We 've done quite well save for our loss to Mauritania. The ranking show we are heading in the right direction. We are in double figures and I want us to be in double figures. We will gradually work to get there and stay there," he said.
"We are now top of page 3 of the ranking and I would like us to make page 2" the Englishman added jovially.
Quizzed on his strategy against the Zambians tomorrow he said: "We will use the squad that will play ion the CSAFA Castle Cup and it happens that at some point during the game we feel we have seen enough we will give other players a run."
The coach went on to say that he is happy that the unhealthy relationship with certain sections of the media is improving.
"Some members of the press are beginning to understand what we want to achieve. I guess if we lose a game they will still be some who will be pointing fingers but all in all things are much better," Rowe told Voice Sport.
He also expressed delight at the way most supporters have been behind him and the boys and hoped they would continue to cheer the team on in good and bad times.
"I have not got flack from the supporters except during the game against Libya. Most fans are behind us although there are certain people who sometimes do not give the team the necessary support. I guess people need more education on what we are doing. We will call press conferences to keep the public informed on what we are doing and why. I guess if people had known what we wanted to achieve when we played Libya they would not have booed us," Rowe intimated.
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