BFA confirms Rowe's sacking

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Wednesday June 4, 2008 00:00

 

This is despite the fact that BFA president Phillip Makgalemele denied the move over Radio Botswana (RB) earlier in the day (yesterday).

Stanley Tshosane, assisted by Kenneth Mogae, has replaced the Englishman.  Speaking at a media briefing at the Lekidi Football Centre in Gaborone, Makgalemele said: 'The BFA NEC (National Executive Committee) and Colwyn Rowe have mutually agreed that he shall cease his duties with immediate effect.' The BFA boss told the gathering that the decision was taken for the common good of everyone involved. Makgalemele said the security of the coach was the major concern with the Madagascar game being the latest sign. After the goalless draw against the Indian Ocean islanders at the National Stadium, some supporters waited at the notorious Pandamatenga stand chanting anti-Rowe slogans. This prompted security personnel to whisk away the Briton through the western gate. This was the second time that Rowe had to be escorted out of the stadium. The first time was when Botswana played against Libya at the same venue last year.

akgalemele dismissed speculations that the BFA has acted under pressure from soccer fans to dismiss the coach. 'Both parties sat down and evaluated everything. The issue of the performance of the national team has been our concern and this decision was not influenced by one game,' he said. Makgalemele, who was hostile throughout the briefing, said although the issue of whether or not Rowe has failed the Zebras was not fully explored, his association had to face reality and take the decision. 'Definitely it was not the right thing since the 2010 World Cup/African Nations Cup qualifiers have started,' he said.

Makgalemele indicated that they have notified the Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Gladys Kokorwe, Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) and Department of Sports and Recreation, on the decision to terminate the coach's services. The BFA boss further urged all the stakeholders to give Tshosane and Mogae all the necessary support as they take the team through the qualifiers. He said the two coaches know Botswana football better and shall be accorded the same respect and support, which was given to Rowe.

Lately, there have been some concerns that local coaches who work with the national teams at different levels, are not treated well by the association as compared to the expatriates hence they tend to fail in their duties. Tshosane and Mogae will lead the Zebras when they travel to Maputo to take Mozambique in the Group 7 game on Sunday.

Earlier on the day, a highly-placed source at BFA told Mmegi Sport that they had to fire Rowe because he failed on his duties as the national team coach. He pointed out that as part of the agreement, Rowe was supposed to coordinate the structures of football in Botswana but he was never up to it. 'He was not interested in our football because every time the national team had a break, he would fly to England. To make matters worse, Rowe hardly watched the Premier League games,' he said.