Butler�s project gains traction despite Senegal shellacking
Mqondisi Dube | Friday September 12, 2014 13:21
The majority of the National Stadium seats found no company as down below, the Zebras wrestled the Terranga Lions of Senegal. The Lions were always searching for the Zebras’ wind pipe and found it at crucial moments to sew-up a 2-0 win.
The small but vocal crowd was left stunned. Their team had fought ferciously but in the end, experience became a cruel deciding factor. Senegal found the openings against the run of play as the Zebras succumbed to a second successive defeat, which has left them facing a mammoth task to reach the finals in Morocco next year.
The fans, though stunned were not entirely dejected as their team showed character and grit, which had become a critical component during the Veselin Jelusic era.
From the first whistle, the Zebras fought tenaciously but were undone by two breakaway goals.
But while the defeat had devastating effects on hopes of progressing to the AFCON finals next year, the manner in which the team succumbed was encouraging. The Zebras refused to be cowed by a side boasting internationals like England based Southampton star Sadio Mane.
Mane was the tormentor in chief, grabbing a fine opening goal before his skill ensured he created the second. The Zebras failed to contain the diminutive star’s silky movements.
It was however, the manner in, which the Zebras strangled the Terranga Lions in midfield that caught the eye.
The defence at times appeared suspect while Jerome Ramatlhakwana’s sharpness came under scrutiny with every opportunity he wasted. However, the midfielders mixed flair and grit to stifle the visitors’ movements.
Mogogi Gabonamong displayed his usual tenacity, and the occasional defence splitting pass. There was able assistance from the young Segolame Boy whose performance belied his age.
He oozed confidence and did not shy away from taking on the giant Senegalese. Captain Joel Mogorosi did not contribute much from the wing but Galabgwe Moyana and Kabelo Seakanyeng’s introduction in the second half breathed life in the flanks.
Moyana wasted no opportunity to take on the Senegal defence and dazzled his marker in the 70th minute before crossing for Ramatlhakwana who again failed to find the target.
Seakanyeng was involved in neat interchanges in the middle as the Zebras upped the tempo.
Butler showed bravery when he withdrew two defenders, Obonye Moswate and Otlaantshekela Mooketsi for Moyana and Seakanyeng. It gave the team more attacking options and chances were created. But the determined performance did little to mask challenges in the first and last third of the pitch.
The defence reminded Butler of how much work lies ahead when it failed to deal with Mane on the right who crossed to Dame Ndoye to finish in the 84th minute. The manner in which Mane swept past three markers on the right before crossing for the goal, was the stuff of nightmares and Butler needs repair works right away.
While Butler is spoilt for choice in the midfield, the same cannot be said for defence and attack. The return of Ofentse Nato, Lemponye Tshireletso and Mogakolodi Ngele will be a welcome problem for Butler while he hopes Edwin Olerile and Kabelo Dambe will shore up the defence. Butler’s dexterity has been exposed as he has often found himself without regulars but still his teams have managed to put up a decent show.
“One man’s loss is another man’s gain. I am proud of my team today. It is a great learning curve. Financially, we cannot compete with teams like Senegal but I am happy with the way the team played,” Butler said after the game.
While Morocco 2015 now appears a fading target and calls for results gain traction, Butler’s project, in the meantime, is shaping up well.
He has already widened his pool with youngsters, Thato Ogopotse, Lebogang Ditsele, Karabo Phiri, Makgantai, Keorapetse Seloiso emerging as rough diamonds ready to be polished for future assignments.