Mqondisi Dube
19 December 2008
A South African based sports management company, Sport Global Management South Africa, is keen on assisting the Botswana Football Association (BFA) find a suitable senior national team coach.
Sport Global Management representative, Rasthoem Simons, responding to a Mmegi Sport questionnaire, said the sports agency would forward names of potential candidates as soon as it is official that the senior national team coach's post is vacant.
Before the appointment of current coach, Stan Tshosane, the sports management agency, which is originally based in France, had suggested the name of Claude Le Roy to the BFA. However, Simons, an accredited FIFA agent said it was felt that it was late in the campaign to bring a foreign coach. "After the departure of (Colywn) Rowe, we forwarded Le Roy's CV (to the BFA). But as Rowe's departure was in the middle of the qualifiers, I don't think there was much time to consider foreign coaches," Simons said.
He said although they do not have an arrangement with the BFA, as FIFA agents, Global Sport Management manages players and coaches around the globe, and is in constant touch with most football associations (FAs). The company works with the likes of former South African coach, Phillipe Trousier, Le Roy, Roger Lemmere, Patrice Neveu, Rene Girard and Jean Francois Jodar. "We are normally in contact with all FAs with regards to services like arranging international friendly matches. Once we have information that BFA is officially looking for a new coach, we will forward a few names as well," Simons said.
France's former assistant coach, Girard is said to be keen on working in Southern Africa and might be touted as a possible candidate to the BFA. Girard, who was the assistant during France's successful World Cup campaign in 1998, managed the French Under-21 side for four years. Simons said during this time, Girard worked with stars like Samir Nasri of Arsenal and prolific goal-getter Karim Benzema, who plays for Olympique Lyon in France. Simons believe Girard would be the ideal person to work with youngsters as the national team prepares for the 2012 Africa Cup qualifiers. Trousier, popularly known as the 'African witchdoctor' and Jodar, formerly Malian coach, are other experienced gaffers available.
Trousier is however, only interested in a technical director's role. Simons said the decision lies entirely with the BFA to choose a candidate from its pool of coaches. "At the end of the day, it is entirely up to the BFA. We have top class coaches available with very high pedigrees. If the BFA is keen, we will avail our services like we would with any other FA," Simons said. Tshosane's future remains uncertain following an unsuccessful campaign to take the Zebras to the Africa Cup of Nations in Angola. The defeat to minnows, Madagascar away from home compounded the former BDF XI coach's woes after a 4-0 humiliation in Ivory Coast.
BFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mooketsi 'Tosh' Kgotlele said the association has an understanding with the Global Sport Management. He could not be drawn into discussing Tshosane's future saying the association will issue a press statement this week. Santos' coach, David Bright, whose future with the South African club looks uncertain, has been tipped for a return to the national team. Before his departure, Bright was in charge of the Under 23 team, which held the nation spellbound with some impressive victories over continental giants. Gaborone United coach, Mike Sithole is said to be in talks with the BFA and might be unveiled as the new coach if negotiations bear fruit.
Impeccable sources within the BFA confirmed that talks with the Zambian coach were at an advanced stage and a deal is imminent.
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