Stern test for optimistic Butler
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday April 29, 2014 14:36
Butler started his Zebras career with a routine 3-0 thumping of lowly South Sudan in a friendly but critics were quick to dismiss the win as a fluke. They argued that South Sudan is a poor opposition, which cannot sufficiently gauge Butler’s tactical acumen.
But the Briton would not have asked for a dip in the fire as he adjusts to his new role, amid reports all is not well at Lekidi Centre.
The AFCON draw, conducted at the CAF headquarters in Cairo on Sunday, will see the Zebras travel to Burundi, not a football powerhouse but a potential banana skin on any day. Burundi is ranked 38th in Africa while the Zebras are much higher at number 22.
Butler was optimistic when he reacted to the draw yesterday. “I am glad the draw has been made. I am optimistic and looking forward to the game. I have an idea of what we are going to do,” Butler said. He said he has been researching about the opposition and has an idea of what to expect.
“What is critical is to get ourselves organised. I have picked a squad for the future,” he said. About the prospects of facing the giants in the group stages, Butler said he will focus on one game at a time.
“I will not look beyond the Burundi game. We have to prepare diligently and professionally.”
The Botswana Football Association (BFA) has asked Butler ‘to do well’ in the qualifiers as one of his deliverables. The Zebras travel to Bujumbura on the weekend of May 18 for the first leg, before the return leg in Gaborone a fortnight later. The winner proceeds to meet either Guinea Bissau or Central Africa Republic in the second round to decide who joins Egypt, Senegal and Tunisia in what is widely regarded as the group of death. The top two teams and the best placed side in the seven groups qualify for the tournament in Morocco from January 17 to February 8.
Meanwhile, Butler named a 32-man squad which will go into camp on Sunday to prepare for the qualifiers. There is no place for Bloemfontein Celtic midfielder, Mogogi Gabonamong and unattached dazzling midfielder, Dirang Moloi.Towering Rollers defender, Kgosietsile Shadrack has forced his way into the squad.
Goalkeepers: Noah Maposa (GU), Kabelo Dambe (Platinum Stars), Mwampole Masule (Rollers)
Defenders: Moreetsi Mosimanyana (BDF XI), Leutlwetse Tshireletso (Rollers), Osego Gaotewe
(GU), Otlaantshekela Mooketsi (BDF XI), Gogontle Marumo (Santos), Kgosietsile Shadrack (Rollers), Kaelo Kgaswane (GU) Obonye Moswate (Rollers)
Midfielders: Jackie Mothatego (GU), Kabo Rasuping (GU), Sekhana Koko (Rollers), Kelelelo Kgosimore (Gunners), Motsholetsi Sikele (Rollers), Ogomoditswe Baoleni (Maun Tigers),
Kabelo Seakanyeng (BDF XI), Keorapetse Seloiso (BMC), Tshiamo Moreetsi (Letlapeng)
Karabo Phiri (GU), Mogakolodi Ngele (Platinum Stars), Ofentse Nato (Mpumalanga Black Aces), Galabgwe Moyana (Polokwane City), Lebogang Ditsele (Jwaneng Comets) Joel Mogorosi
(Bloemfontein Celtic)
Striker: Bonolo Frazer (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Senatla Molefhe (Santos), Unobatsha Mbaiwa (BMC), Onkabetse Makgantai (Nico), Kobamelo Kebaikanye (Rollers), Tebogo Sembowa (GU)