Hold your fire - Rowe

TSHEPO MOLWANE
Staff Writer | Tuesday May 29, 2007 00:00

 

After booing the Zebras for the entire second half, angry supporters waited at the notorious Pandamatenga stand for Rowe to leave the stadium. Whilst the coach was still conducting interviews, supporters booed and whistled but the police responded quickly and whisked the Englishman through the western gate. The supporters quickly moved out of the stadium with the hope of seeing the coach but the police were on hand to ensure law and order. One disgruntled supporter lamented as he walked out of the stadium, 'Rowe o tshwanetse go tsamaya, re lapisitswe ke tshameko e bokoa (Rowe must go, we're tired of his negative play).' Some supporters blamed Rowe for not using Mochudi Centre Chiefs' on-form striker Pontsho Moloi. To the supporters, Moloi has not only scored 20 goals this season, but he has also played well and created chances for his team-mates at Chiefs. 'Why is Rowe  frustrating that young man (Moloi)?' asked another supporter. Some supporters poured scorn on Rowe for substituting young midfielder Dirang Moloi for Vincent Phiri. At the time, Moloi was a better player and one would have thought Barnes Radipotsane would have been a better option.

In an interview with Mmegi Sport yesterday, Rowe appealed to the supporters, including the media, to remain positive and rally behind the team. 'We played well, Libya was stronger but I'm happy that we defended well especially that we've an away game (to Burundi). I can understand that we didn't win but we've to be realistic. Even the Libyan coach was full of praise,' he said. The Briton believes that the media have a role in educating the supporters to avoid situations like the one on Sunday. 'I understand their frustrations when we're not scoring but they should understand that we're trying our best,' he told Mmegi Sport. Rowe said that people should appreciate that players were tired after being involved in league games the previous day. The Zebras' tactician defended his decision to substitute Dirang, saying that the former Notwane midfielder had run out of steam and he did not want to risk injuries. He said that he thought of introducing Pontsho to play upfront with Onalethata Tshekiso and dropping Diphetogo Selolwane into the midfield but could not risk making the substitution looking at the atmosphere.

Zebras' captain Modiri Marumo said that the booing did not affect them. 'We know that those people were not ours. Our performance has improved and I'm optimistic that we'll return home with good results,' Marumo told Mmegi Sport.

Pontsho lambasted the supporters who booed them on the day. 'It's not right for them to do that. People should understand that Rowe is the coach and should not force him to introduce me. I'm happy that I didn't play because I was bound to make mistakes and the same people who wanted me, would have turned against me,' he told Mmegi Sport.