Former Zebras coach Colwyn Rowe has expressed his intention to return to the national team by applying for the vacant head coach position. A reliable source has informed this publication that the Englishman is one of the 10 individuals who have submitted their applications to replace the departed Stanley Tshosane.
The source indicated that Rowe has sent his CV to the Botswana Football Association (BFA) in a bid to reclaim his old job. The Ipswich born coach led Botswana for two years during his spell as the national team coach.
He was hired by the BFA in 2006 despite being a virtually unknown figure in the local scene; he had coached in the lower tiers of English football before taking over as the technical director of the Jordan national team.
The 57 –year- old’s highlight as the Zebras coach was masterminding a 0-0 draw against Egypt in 2006 (AFCON Qualification match), who were then the reigning African champions. He enjoyed a decent spell until a string of poor results led to his dismissal in June 2008; his last match being against Madagascar.
“Rowe is part of a long list of coaches who are interested in taking over the Zebras post. He has sent an email to the association notifying them of his availability to succeed Tshosane. The BFA is not yet ready to appoint any particular individual but they have a waiting list full of experienced coaches and Rowe is the standout name given his past with the national team,” said the anonymous source.
Despite being sacked by the BFA, Rowe has reportedly been up to date with the team’s progress as well as keeping good relations with previous and current senior players .The report is supported by the fact that Zebras’ former mentor engaged in an hour-long Twitter conversation with a local sport page whereby he rendered his recommendations for the development of the country’s youth development structures as well as the national team.
Mogogi Gabonamong, who played a handful of games under the tutelage of Rowe, said the following, “I played a few games under him but he impressed me a lot. He is a very good coach and I am sure that players would improve a lot under him. He is technically and tactically gifted but other coaches can also do the job,” said the Supersport United midfielder.
Former Zebras midfielder, Dipsy Selolwane, echoed Gabonamong’s sentiments. “I have a lot of respect for Rowe because he changed the tactical approach of the national team players. His stay was too short; he should have been given more time to implement his ideas. His philosophy was misunderstood, he would have given more to local football because he laid the foundation for the generation that qualified for AFCON 2012. He would be a good fit for the national team in my view,” said Selolwane.
This publication understands that the BFA will only make a decision on whom to appoint once the National Executive Committee (NEC) has embarked on a strategic retreat during the first week of November.
Rowe’s last coaching job was in 2011 when he took charge of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, a Caribbean country ranked 120th in the world. He coached the side for only three months from September to December 2 years ago.