Butler here to stay
Boitumelo Khutsafalo | Monday July 6, 2015 13:45
Zebras drew 1-1 in the second leg match played against Lesotho at the National Stadium on Saturday.
The result spelt the end for the Zebras in the qualifiers as Lesotho progressed to the next stage through an away goal rule.
“It was a defensive mistake but listen, I take full responsibility. I have worked really hard and I am a proud person. We have not played bad. We have been playing good football and football is about margins. If you do not take chances you do not win football matches,” Butler said after the game.
The Zebras wasted several scoring opportunities especially in the second half until Lesotho got their chance and scored. The goal came through second half substitute, Thabiso Brown who had come in for Thapelo Tale. The Zebras’ equaliser came through the skilful winger, Mpho Kgaswane with few minutes remaining.
Butler said despite the disappointing result, the team is evolving with about six players under the age of 23. “I am here for a long time. I signed a three-year contract and I am here to build a team. I have wonderful support from president Sebego (Tebogo). He understands what I am trying to do,” he said.
Butler has been under heavy criticism from supporters as well as pundits over the team’s performance. He has also been under attack over issues relating to his Twitter outbursts. However, he said he has the full support of the Botswana Football Association (BFA) president, Tebogo Sebego and his players. He said his mandate in the COSAFA Senior Challenge was to reach the semi finals, which he did after beating South Africa in the quarterfinals.
He defended himself against criticism that he is not fielding right, saying he called Mochudi Centre Chiefs midfielder, Lesego Galenamotlhale to the camp, but the popular player never turned up. Both the supporters and the media had advocated for his inclusion in the team. The issue reached a boiling point recently following Butler’s alleged utterances over the naming of Galenamotlhale as the player of the season. Chiefs released a statement expressing disappointment over the coach’s alleged remarks.
However, Butler said he has always said he would like to have Galenamotlhale in the squad one day and called him prior to the game against Lesotho. “He furnished us with his reasons and I respect his reasons. He is (a) fine player, but if he does not turn up, there is nothing I can do about it,” he said.
He said his remarks on social media regarding players who do not turn up when called for the national team was not targeted at Galenamotlhale or any other individual. He said it was just a general question and not targeted at him.
“You can go and check what I said and I know it was not contradictory and not degrading to any individual or association,” Butler said. He said he is not worried about the supporters calling for his head because he came to Botswana to do his job. “Like I said I take full responsibility. I am big boy.
I have played football at the highest level and have coached at the high level. If people want to call for head, I respect that. It will not be the first time and it will not be the last time,” he said. He also said although his charges play well, there is always a problem in the final third. He said the problem is also rife at club level in the Premier League.
Meanwhile Lesotho coach, Seephephe Matete said they came knowing the Zebras are very good on the wings. “So our plan was to have our wing backs and midfielders to support each other. In the second half, we realised the game was open and we introduced offensive players,” he said.