Suspensions force Butler to bank on rookies
Thato Kala | Wednesday September 10, 2014 12:02
Midfielder Ofentse Nato, Lemponye Tshireletso and Edwin Olerile have been ruled out of the tie and Butler will have to look into his young squad for alternatives.
CAF has written to Botswana Football Association (BFA) advising that the trio are not eligible to play against Senegal because of accumulated yellow cards.
The team started the group stage campaign on a losing note away to Tunisia and the Zebras are desperate for a win today to boost their hopes. The game comes two days after Butler was reported to have quit because of strained relations with his fellow countryman Keith Masters, the chief executive officer of BFA.
“I had a disagreement with CEO which I am not happy about, but it doesn’t distract me from the preparations. He knows fully well what he has done and I am disappointed. He has put a huge cloud over our relationship, but I will stay because I have a good relationship with the president (Tebogo Sebego), (vice president) Tariq (Babitseng) and other people here,” Butler told Mmegi Sport immediately after yesterday’s press conference.
He is positive his boys will put up a good fight against Senegal, who out-muscled Egypt 2-0 in their opening qualifier over the weekend.
“I am quite positive, they are a good team but irrespective of a win, loss or draw, as long as the boys fight that is all I ask. That is what the general public wants. I want them to give their best and fight,” he said.
Butler was still not sure whether he would have Platinum Stars’ ace Mogakolodi Ngele for the crucial tie.
He, however, said he was convinced he had alternatives should Ngele not be fit.
“That’s unfortunate, but one player’s misfortune is another player’s fortune, so we’ve gotta be bang on and ready to roll.”
Township Rollers’ rookie Segolame Boy is likely to get a run tonight.The Zebras had a light training session on Monday after arriving from Tunis. They were to have another light session late yesterday.
“We are very tired, we had a light training session yesterday and trying to keep everything balanced, though we got minor knocks there is a pool of players available for selection.”
The Zebras will have to be wary of Senegal’s Mame Biram Diouf and Sadio Kane who were on target against Egypt at the weekend.