Editor
29 October 2009
editorial
Gaborone — The Zebras' performance at the ongoing COSAFA Senior Challenge in Zimbabwe have once again divided the nation with most people saying that the team could have done better.
Already, most supporters who have aired their frustrations through different forums have called on Botswana Football Association (BFA) to act fast and fire the coach, Stanley Tshosane. We agree with them.
On Monday when the Zebras went down 1-0 to hosts Zimbabwe in the COSAFA Cup quarterfinals, the tactics employed by Tshosane were wrong. He committed a major blunder by starting the game with six defenders and no playmaker while Dirang Moloi was idling on the bench. When the Zebras got behind the Warriors' defence, it was proved that the Zimbabweans are beatable. Yes, those who were satisfied by the performance may argue that the Zebras have never beaten the Warriors in any game before and conceding one goal with two minutes remaining shows that they did well under the circumstances.
That might be true but this Zimbabwean side was not one of the best. Lesotho exposed them in the group stages and we expected the Zebras to follow suit. The truth of the matter is that the tactics which Tshosane employed on the day invited disaster. He gave too much respect to the Zimbabweans. It is good to hear some people in Zimbabwe praising the Zebras for the performance but the reality is that they speak out of ignorance. They had no knowledge that the team was utterly disappointing compared to what it is capable of. What we are saying is that we deserved to be in the semi-finals with the team we sent to the COSAFA Cup. Our problems started in the group stages when we were held to a goalless draw by Comoros, a side which we could have hammered senseless given its pedigree and the fact that we were top seeds in the group.
It was disappointing to hear Tshosane blaming the referee for the loss to Zimbabwe. He feels the referee robbed the Zebras by awarding the hosts a corner, which led to the goal. But what goal did his players score or foul did they deserve that the referee failed to give? The Zebras could have scored goals in open play before 'disaster' struck in the form of that corner at the goal.We therefore join the rest of Batswana who are calling on the BFA to employ a coach who will take the Zebras forward.
Remember those days when the Zebras used to attract a lot of attention and play before a full house? We miss those days and we can only regain the glory with a new coach. A word of advice to the BFA officials. You must employ an experienced coach who knows African football and most importantly, who speaks English. The coach must earn the respect of players.
Today's Thought
Sports serve society by providing vivid examples of excellence.
- George F. Will (1941 - )
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