Butler�s turn to mummify Pharaohs
Mqondisi Dube | Friday October 10, 2014 15:59
His brave Zebras had spoilt the Egyptians’ day with a fighting 0-0 draw. A whole load of gloom lifted off the under fire Rowe. Tonight, eight years down the line, the spotlight falls sharply on another Englishman, Peter Butler as he attempts to tame the seven time African champions, but the task is arduous, writes MQONDISI DUBE
It was a day in which a tough-as-teak Ernest ‘Nansi le ndoda’ Amos’ credentials soared above the rising National Stadium noise. He hardly put a foot wrong in his bruising battle against flamboyant Pharaohs danger man, Mido who was then plying his trade in the English Premiership.
The whole Zebras team responded with a determined display, which defied the gulf in class between the two. Rowe was the most relieved man at the final whistle as calls for his head had been gaining traction prior to the epic encounter. A click on the fast forward button to October 10, 2014 sees the two sides back at the same stadium for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.
However, the circumstances are markedly different. Rowe is fast becoming distant memory, Amos is somewhere in Francistown, probably burly and certainly will never operate on the Zebras right back flank. Most of his colleagues are potbellied and chasing the pigskin would be a rolling task. Egypt are no longer an intimidating threat that grabbed a record seven African titles up to 2010. At the helm of the Zebras is another diminutive Briton, Peter Butler. His future however does not entirely depend on the Egypt game. Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Tebogo Sebego has long-term plans for the coach. He has started well, blooding youngsters with battle scarred seniors. The project has taken visible shape although it has met with mixed results. With the Egyptian fear factor melting, Butler boys might gather sufficient courage to inflict damage.
Butler argues the team has surpassed expectations by reaching the AFCON qualifiers group stages. By qualifying for the group stages, the Zebras effectively jumped from the frying pan straight into a raging inferno as they fell into a group of death with two former African champions, Egypt and Tunisia while Senegal is a known powerhouse.
The outcome of the leap has been two defeats to Senegal and Tunisia in the opening matches. Both games could have produced at least a point for the Zebras, but slipped away at late moments. Butler would be concerned with the lack of goals despite some solid midfield play usually sprinkled with slick passing. He is without two of the country’s best defensive midfielders. Gritty midfielder, Mogogi Gabonamong is serving a yellow card suspension while gangly Ofentse Nato flew for long hours from India, but failed to make the short but critical trip to Lekidi Centre. Nato has been suspended for misconduct and won’t feature tonight. The absence of the robust midfielders robs Butler of dynamism and discipline in the crucial part of the pitch. Gifted new boy, Segolame Boy is expected to venture into areas that can hurt the opposition. Unsung hero, Thato Ogopotse has cemented his place in the middle to form what is, barring suspensions, should be a crack combination. The return of nippy Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele, will offer Butler hope that the team can convert defeats to at least stalemates or better still, a win. For all the industry, the team is yet to strike gold as upfront, 2012 AFCON qualifiers hero, Jerome Ramatlhakwana is not on the same page with the midfielders. The return of Ngele might be what Butler ordered as he is a trusted number 10. At the back the sieve still leaks. Oscar Ncenga has a knack of arriving a shade late, the weakness amplified during the Zimbabwe friendly match over Independence Day. Twice he cluttered on to an opposition attacker in the danger zone, and in one instance could have resulted in a penalty had the referee not chosen to look away.
Obonye Moswate is still work in progress although he will mature into a fine act with time. The defence is short of pace and was badly exposed against a slick Sadio Mane against Senegal. The Southampton midfielder left Butler with a lot of headaches when he swept past statistic three markers in creating the second goal that sealed the game.
Egypt contain a young man, Mohammed Salah capable of inflicting equal misery with his frightening pace. The Chelsea midfielder can zoom past defenders and Butler’s back four must prepare for a torrid 90minutes. While Rowe was more than too keen to sit-back and allow the Egyptians possession in harmless areas, Butler might not have that luxury if he wants to retrieve a faltering campaign. He has to take the game to the giant North Africans, otherwise the Morocco 2015 dream will be at sunset.