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Page last updated at 12:08 GMT, Thursday, 3 April 2008 13:08 UK

Botswana coach under pressure

By Tshepho Bogosing
BBC Sport, Gaborone

Botswana coach Colwyn Rowe
Colwyn Rowe is under pressure to take the Zebras to the Nations Cup
Pressure is mounting on Botswana coach Colwyn Rowe to secure a place for the Zebras at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.

The Englishman has been in charge since 2006, but defeat in two recent games has led to calls for him to be sacked.

Botswana lost a friendly match against Zimbabwe 1-0 last week in Gaborone.

Then on Tuesday they were beaten 1-0 by a Brazilian select team which had been brought in to celebrate the inauguration of the country's new President, Seretse Khama Ian Khama,

The new leader is a keen football fan and has been known to personally reward players for success on the pitch.

It is widely expected that President Khama will take a strong interest in sport whilst in office.

President Seretse Khama Ian Khama
New President Ian Khama is a sports enthusiast
One of his first actions once in office was to replace the country's sports minister.

But despite the pressure, Colwyn Rowe remains optimistic.

"Countries like Zimbabwe and Brazil are far ahead of Botswana in terms of football developments, but we managed to match them pound for pound," he told BBC Sport.

"In the qualification games, I am adamant that we can make it."

Botswana meet Madagascar, Mozambique and Ivory Coast in their qualifying group for the 2010 Nations Cup and World Cup.

If they do make it to the Nations Cup in Angola, it will be the first time the Zebras have gone to the African showpiece.


see also
Botswana's new high flyer
02 Apr 08 |  Africa
2010 World Cup Qualifiers
27 Mar 08 |  African
Botswana to face Brazilian side
05 Mar 08 |  African


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