BFA close to Tshosane deal

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Wednesday March 7, 2012 00:00

 

The Botswana Football Association (BFA) and Stanley Tshosane are expected to sign a new three-year deal, which will keep the Zebras coach at the helm until 2015.

The two parties have been locked in negotiations since late last year, but now a deal appears imminent after it emerged that Tshosane has accepted an improved contract from the local soccer mother body.

The BFA and Tshosane are reportedly tying loose ends before the latter signs on the dotted line.

Tshosane will earn a salary in the region of P70,000 a month, a huge climb from the P40,000, which he reportedly pocketed in the old contract. The coach's contract expires on March 31.

Tshosane elevated his status when he became the first coach to take the Zebras to the Africa Cup of Nations finals where they finished last in a tough group that included Ghana, Guinea and Mali. Despite failing to win a match the Zebras were not short of admirers, particularly for their display against Ghana and Mali when they narrowly lost 1-0 and 2-1 respectively.

Negotiations were drawn out amid reports that the coach was holding out, as there was rumoured interest from elsewhere.

But the two have reportedly addressed most outstanding issues and all that is left is for Tshosane to put pen to paper. However, Tshosane could not comment on the matter saying he is still to meet his principals at BFA.

'(BFA president, David) Fani has not been in as well as (vice president-technical, Dintle) Mphele. I only started work yesterday (Monday). We will meet on Thursday, that is when I will have a clear picture,' Tshosane said.

Several efforts to get a comment from the BFA chief executive officer, Duncan Kgame, who has been tasked with dealing with the media, hit a snag as he was said to be in a meeting.

Meanwhile, there has been no decision yet on the national teams' technical sponsor. All Kasi's contract expires at the end of March and the local clothing label has expressed interest in continuing as technical sponsor. All Kasi's contract expired last August, but the BFA temporarily extended the deal to March 31st, paving way for the company to become the first to dress the Zebras at the AFCON finals. However, reports indicate that the local company would be denied a third bite at the cherry.

'It's doubtful All Kasi will be retained. There are issues and a decision has not been made,' a source said.

The BFA vice president, administration, Boyce Sebetela referred all questions to Kgame who was not available for comment at press time.