Pressure is mounting on Botswana coach Colwyn Rowe to secure a place for the Zebras at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
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, Sir Seretse Khama's son 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 while in office.
One of his first actions once in office was to replace the country's sports minister.
But despite the pressure, Rowe remains optimistic.
"Countries such as Zimbabwe and Brazil are far ahead of Botswana in terms of football development, 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. - BBC
Heat mounts for Rowe
Pressure is mounting on Botswana coach Colwyn Rowe to secure a place for the Zebras at the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations.
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, Sir Seretse Khama's son 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 while in office.
One of his first actions once in office was to replace the country's sports minister.
But despite the pressure, Rowe remains optimistic.
"Countries such as Zimbabwe and Brazil are far ahead of Botswana in terms of football development, 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. - BBC