Butler blasts Top 8 schedule
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday November 11, 2014 15:05
The last Top 8 quarter final match will be played tonight between Township Rollers and Motlakase Power Dynamos.
“It is strange how the Top 8 has been scheduled. Obviously some players would not have recovered by the time we play on Friday. It changes the way we prepare for the Tunisia game,” Butler said yesterday. The Zebras started trooping into camp yesterday.
Butler has recalled Platinum Stars midfielder, Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele while Ofentse ‘Size 10’ Nato has been left out of the squad for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the National Stadium.
Ngele had walked out of camp after a misunderstanding with the technical team while Nato was reportedly drunk.
Butler had told Mmegi Sport the door was open for Ngele while Nato’s Zebras future appears increasingly bleak under the Englishman.
In the 27 member squad, there was room for in-form local players, Gaborone United winger, Kgololo Kgogobi and Nico United midfielder, Richard Legwaila.
Township Rollers goalkeeper, Mwampule Masule has made the squad despite recent limited time where Michael Pepukani has been preferred at club level.
Extension Gunners’ exciting midfielder, Topo Piet returns to the squad though he failed to reproduce the form that made him a wanted player while at Nico United.
Unattached striker, Jerome Ramatlhakwana, without a goal since his Zebras return, has kept his place. The Zebras are battling to save face after four defeats in the group stages left them rooted at the bottom of Group G, which has giants, Egypt, Senegal and Tunisia.
“We have to show respect to the competition. We will try new faces but most importantly try and win the game,” Butler said.
The Tunisia match kicks off at 6:30 pm at the National Stadium before the team leaves for Senegal on Sunday.
The Zebras squad:
Goalkeepers: Kabelo Dambe (Platinum Stars), Modiri Marumo (Polokwane City), Mwampule Masule (Rollers)
Defenders: Mosha Gaolaolwe, Pelonte Lerole, Othusitse Mpharitlhe (all BDF XI), Edwin Olerile (GU), Boitumelo Mafoko (Galaxy FC), Gogontle Marumo (Notwane), Obonye Moswate, Leutlwetse Tshireletso (both Rollers)
Midfielders: Thato Ogopotse, Bonolo Phuduhudu, Kabelo Seakanyeng (all BDF XI), Joel Mogorosi, Mogogi Gabonamong (both Bloemfontein Celtic), Topo Piet (Gunners), Kgololo Kgogobi (GU), Richard Legwaila, Khumoetsile Kufigwa (both Nico United), Lebogang Ditsele (Letlapeng), Lemponye Tshireletso (Chiefs), Mogakolodi Ngele (Platinum Stars), Segolame Boy (Rollers)
Strikers: Mokgathi Mokgathi (BDF XI), Kenanao Kgetholetsile (BMC), Jerome Ramatlhakwana (unattached)