Funds throw spanners in Zebras� works
Mqondisi Dube | Friday November 6, 2015 12:28
Zebras’ coach, Peter Butler said they had wanted to play a friendly match before the crunch encounter against their bogey side.
The national team was forced to shelve a planned training camp due to the Botswana Football Association’s (BFA) shallow pockets.
“First week had to be cancelled due to financial reasons and that’s why there is no friendly fixture,” Butler said. He said he had requested a few friendly matches, but due to financial issues “we could not bring players into camp, so it went no further”.
Butler requested that the league matches be completed before Sunday so that he has ample time to be with the national side.
The BFA has perennially battled financial issues with allowances for the national team remaining stagnant at P750 for a draw, P1,500 for a win and P100 per day for upkeep.
Meanwhile, Zebras players are expected to report for camp on Sunday while India based Ofentse ‘Size 10’ Nato arrives in the country next week Wednesday.
South Africa based duo, Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele and Omaatla Kebatho join their colleagues in Francistown on Monday.
Butler is prepared to throw caution to the wind in search for a healthy first leg lead.
He said: “I expect the game to be tight but we will have a go. We have Plan A and B, and I am willing to throw the dice and gamble because in football if you don’t take calculated risks you achieve nothing. We have a good healthy squad and we will enjoy the experience.
“It’s another step down the road. It’s unfortunate we only get a short period of time with the players. However, I am not going to moan about it. Let us be positive and get on with the job ahead.”
Meanwhile, Mali named a strong line-up made up of foreign-based players.
The Eagles beat the Zebras 4-1 during their last visit in 2013 for a 7-1 aggregate win and also got the better of Botswana 2-1 at the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations finals.
Zebras
Ofentse Nato (Atletico de Kolkata), Mwampole Masule, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Kabelo Seakanyeng (all BDF XI), Goitseone Phoko, Gaopatwe Seosenyeng, Hendrick Moyo (all Gaborone United), Tebogo Sosome, Boitumelo Mafoko (all Jwaneng Galaxy), Lebogang Ditsele (Gilport Lions), Lemponye Tshireletso (Mochudi Centre Chiefs), Keolopile Moremi (Miscellaneous), Tapiwa Gadibolae, Letlhogonolo Senwelo, Phenyo Molefe, Joseph Joseph (all Police XI), Mogakolodi Ngele (Sundowns, SA), Kabelo Dambe, Obonye Moswate, Segolame Boy, Maano Ditshupo, Joel Mogorosi, Galabgwe Moyana (all Township Rollers), Omaatla Kebatho (Vasco da Gama, SA)
Mali
Goalkeepers: Soumaïla Diakité (Esteghlial, Iran), Oumar Sissoko (Orléans, France), Mahamadou Samassa (Guingamp, France)
Defenders: Hamary Traoré (Reims, France), Ousmane Coulibaly (Platanias, Greece), Molla Wagué (Udinese, Italy), Salif Coulibaly (TP Mazembé, DR Congo), Ousseyni Cissé (Rayo Vallecano, Spain), Adama Tamboura (Hobro, Denmark), Youssouf Koné (Lille, France)
Midfielders: Mamoutou N’Diaye (Anvers, Belgium), Tongo Ahmed Doumbia (Toulouse, France), Adbou Traoré (Bordeaux, France), Samba Sow (Kayserispor, Turkey), Birama Touré (Nantes, France), Yacouba Sylla (Rennes, France), Sambou Yatabaré (Standard de Liège, Belgium), Bakary Sako (Crystal Palace, England)
Forwards: Moussa Marega (Maritimo Funchal, Portugal), Abdoulaye Diaby (FC Bruges, Belgium), Modibo Maïga (El Nasr Riyad, Saudi Arabia), Moustapha Yatabaré (Montpellier, France), Cheick Tidiane Diabaté (Bordeaux, France).