Tshosane should start packing his bags

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Tuesday September 7, 2010 00:00

His credentials had been questioned, his tactics long dismissed as retrogressive, but Tshosane chose to do the talking on the field. Who cares about the team not playing in phases or transition if the results are coming?

So-called successful coaches came before Tshosane but exited without achieving much. A good coach must be judged by results - and Tshosane has produced excellent results.

The Botswana Football Association (BFA) leadership should feel vindicated after the latest Zebras results.

There were murmurs of disapproval when Tshosane was offered the top job after a hugely disappointing end to the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) campaign.

BFA stuck with Tshosane and gave him a two-year contract late last year.

Zebras fans felt doomed as evidenced by their absence at most of the national team's games.

The presence of continental giants Togo and Tunisia in the Zebras group further dimmed the little hope that fans had.

Who was Tshosane, a coach who had limited success with modest Premier League side, BDF XI, to guide the Zebras against Africa's heavyweights? In the eyes of doubters, he did not stand a chance. In fact his sacking was eagerly awaited long before the qualifiers got under way.

Successive victories over Tunisia and Chad somehow mollified fans but most of them, however, remained unconvinced.

The Zebras trip to Malawi yielded a vital point, which proved crucial in changing people's perceptions about Tshosane's ability to deliver.

Although his detractors still maintained that the team was too static in its approach, there was some belief in Tshosane.

Other teams in the group have also aided Tshosane and the Zebras' cause. It is probably reminiscent of scenes in the hilarious all-time classic 1968 animated series, Wacky Races, featuring Dick Dastardly and Mutley, where the racers are their own worst enemies.

The Boulder Mobile, driven by twin brothers, Rock and Gravel Slag finds itself going nowhere as the drivers spend time pummelling each other. This allows other racers, including Professor Pat Lending, in his convertible car, to take charge of the race.

The other teams in Group K are cancelling each other out, with Tunisia the only other team to manage a 3-2 victory away to Chad. Togo and Chad played to a 2-2 draw in their opening match, while Malawi held Togo to a similar stalemate in Lome.

On Saturday night, the Rock and Gravel sledging continued when Malawi and Tunisia drew 2-2 to hand the advantage to the Zebras.

While it has been difficult for the Zebras' fans to get over the euphoria created during the Veselin Jelusic era, Tshosane has provided the exit remedy.  In front of nearly 10,000 fans who packed the UB Stadium on Saturday, Tshosane silenced his critics. Togo were humbled 2-1 and Botswana's qualification prospects brightened.

The team put up a much-improved display with slick passing and some systematic build-ups.

Tshosane has seemingly realised the potential that his squad possesses on the flanks.

It is the speed and trickery of Phenyo Mongala, Joel Mogorosi, Pontsho Moloi and Sekhana Koko that should be the mainstay of the team.

Like wine, Tshosane is mellowing with time and probably his critics have played a huge role in his transformation.

Instead of heading for the exit door, as many had predicted, Tshosane might as well start packing his bags ready to fly to West Africa for the 2012 AFCON finals to be jointly hosted by Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.