Zebras Coach vents his frustration on Twitter
Thalefang Charles | Monday July 28, 2014 18:22
Coach Peter Butler’s fears were captured in a tweet, which reveals that he met the Botswana Football CEO, who revealed some shocking news to him.
The tweet reads: “Super disappointed what I was told today by CEO we have worked so hard 2 get this far wuld be gutted if we cant travel to Guinea for 2nd leg”.
“We all need to stick together players have been brilliant / I have loved working with them would be sad to leave, plans are in ruins we go back to sq 1”. The Zebras a taking a 2-0 lead after the first leg in Gaborone.
Although we may not know the behind the scenes controversies in the Zebras camp, we can get a hint of this and that thanks to the Zebras coach Peter James Butler’s very active Twitter account.
He tweets about ‘crap’ games, his disappointments, ‘Botswanans’ hospitality, talent, and culture, cycling and general football issues. The coach uses the Twitter handle @Petebutts4Yes and so far, has over 753 tweets.
On Friday Butler revealed what could be big problems within the Zebras camp and relations with Botswana Football Association management ever since he assumed duty.
His tweets about an African potential job started on February 6. He tweeted; “Met some of the most delightful and interesting people this week in Africa - potential amazing - Hospitality 1st class - thank u” Butler later tweeted: “Exciting times ahead - some excellent potential”
The following day on February 7, he ended the day with his first ever tweet in Setswana saying: “Kealeboga & boroko”. But going further back on the coach’s Twitter feed, one can learn a lot about the Zebras tactician.
It appears he returned to Twitter after a sort of break. His very first ever tweet in November 2013 before he took over the Zebras job was; “Yes its me I’m back by popular demand, promise ill behave missed u all :-)”.
After settling in Botswana he became active on Twitter. In March he tweeted; “Never experienced it in 30 years of Pro Football - our players singing all the way from dressing room to the tunnel - uplifting experience”.
On the prospect of new coaching job in Botswana he tweeted; “Thanks for the support - feet on the ground humility is everything long road ahead lets keep things in perspective.”
On the culture shock and appreciation; “Surprised today that I heard we don’t celebrate staff birthdays so we bought a cake and Happy 30th birthday Dineo have a great weekend :-)”.
“Every Yorkshireman needs to learn this in seswana - Ke kopa biri”.
In March it appears some one started teaching him Setswana. He tweeted about it; “The rest of the seswana they are teaching me is unprintable sorry but i know more than you realise :-)”.
But he learnt pleasantries too as he later tweeted; “Dumelang bomma le borra, nnang le letsatsi le le lentle”
Then in March he discovered that someone had faked his account. He tweeted a warning with a bit of Setswana “tshele” in it saying; “There is someone with a fake FB account (sehema) creating posts about me so tlhokomologang sehema seo as its not the real PJB – Kealeboga”
He is actually enjoying Africa. Evidence is from this tweet at the end of March; “Africa is cool luv it / should of come 10 years ago - kids got great talent hunger & desire - but it’s hot / I’m pink half the time”
With this following tweet it appeared with just two months in Botswana he observed that football fans celebrate with one particular beer. We wonder if he has ever tasted it. He tweeted; “Congrats to Letlapeng there will be some sore heads in Ramotswa in the morning the local Liqourama must have sold out of Black Label :-)”
He continued his Black Label tweets in July with this one; “Happy Sir Seretse Khama Day to all Batswanans have a great day go easy on the black label :-)”
Butler also used Twitter to explain his squad selection; “discipline is everything & if your players dont have it they have to suffer the consequences, without it we will go nowhere #changeattitude” “Dirang was not called coz he has not played and is not attached to a club, I like Dirang as a footballer but he has to settle his issue 1st” “bcoz I had never seen him play and wanted to look at him, Dirang fully understands the situation as I made it clear to him.”
On his bicycle accidents and transport problems he tweeted: “had a great trip in the combi this morning, less busy on a sunday but listening to reggae music at 8am busting my ear drums” “Really dissapointed not to get to SSKB today to watch the game No Transport when will this nonsense stop im getting frustrated.”
“Thanks for your concern im ok thanks just a bit battered and bruised just back frim hospital, Bike destroyed gutted but im alive!” His crying tweets earned him a brand new car from Barloworld and he rightful thanked them. “Thanks to the people at Barloworld for the sponsored car you just gave me looking forward to working with you guys in the future thanks”
On Zebras good form the coach tweeted: “In the last six months we have come a very long way and become a more balanced & competitive squad, albeit a hell of a long way to go :-)”
“Thanks to everyone today players staff supporters you were magnificent im proud of my players they were outstanding - but half job done :-)”
“Thanks for all the kind words its work in process , Motswanans appreciate what im doing for the them the Indonesians were also respectful” He also had unkind tweets for his former employers in Malaysia. He tweeted this last week; “I love the Malaysian people but sadly I was never respected coz I was too professional there, corruption will always rule, tida apa 2”
During the World Cup he shared his views on Luiz Suarez’s punishment. “If you use video analysis to Ban Suarez why cant we use the same to Ban the cheat Robben - scandalous #doublestandards”
He was understandably disappointed with the England team. He tweeted; “I may be a coach but im a english fan and this is not acceptable, this is poor really poor Dan Ashworth & co u get what u deserve #crap”