Butler�s frustrations build ahead of Tunisia trip
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday September 2, 2014 11:24
BFA chief executive officer, Keith Masters said the team is expected to depart today, but Butler said he has been informed the trip is tomorrow.
The Zebras have had it rough off the field, waiting for a last minute government intervention to fly to Guinea Bissau and contending with the perennial challenge of remuneration.
“We are trying to make do with what we have. The boys have done well despite the challenges. At the moment, I do not know anything about travel arrangements or if flights have been booked,” Butler said. He said since arriving in Botswana, he has learnt to turn negatives into positives.
“It is a challenge but we try to get on with it. I have taught myself to turn negatives into positives. There is a lot of negativity despite the team doing well.”
Masters countered that the coach should worry about preparing the team and not administrative issues because travel arrangements have been made.
Despite the challenges, Butler said the team is ready to face Tunisia in a tough group that has the formidable Senegal and seven time African champions, Egypt.
The Zebras are unbeaten in four official matches since Butler took over in February, but they face their toughest challenge in Tunisia.
South Africa-based players, including Bloemfontein Celtic midfielder, Mogogi Gabonamong are expected to arrive in the country today. The squad is expected to have two training sessions today before flying out tomorrow.
“It will be tough in Tunisia, but we have a plan. Obviously we have to be disciplined. We have an idea of how they play,” Butler said.
The Zebras has had success against Tunisia in their last two meetings, beating the North African giants home and away by identical 1-0 score lines.
Straight after the Tunisia game, the Zebras face Senegal at the National Stadium in Gaborone next Wednesday. The top two teams and the third best-placed side from all seven groups join hosts Morocco for the January 17 to February 8 tournament.
Meanwhile, the chartered flight which the BFA was organising for supporters to Tunisia has failed to materialise. The round trip was pegged at P18,000. “It didn’t materialise. There was no interest, I guess the fare was too high,” Masters said.