Butler to employ same strategy against Mali
Mqondisi Dube | Tuesday November 17, 2015 09:22
The Zebras carry a 2-1 lead going into tonight’s make or break encounter with a hostile crowd expected to rally behind the home team.
But Butler has remained unfazed after he watched his team immaculately dismantle the star-studded Eagles in Francistown on Saturday. The Malians would feel indebted to the referee after he ignored Zebras’ strong penalty appeals when two defenders clumsily cluttered on Kabelo Seakanyeng who was clean through late in the second half.
The Zebras were expected to have their first training session last evening after enduring a long flight on Sunday.
“We shall have a pool, recovery session this morning (yesterday) and train tonight at 7pm. (Ofentse Nato) Size 10 took a knock but nothing serious; we shall have a look at him this morning (yesterday),” Butler said.
He said he had not been able to gauge the Malians mood as the team spent most of its time in the hotel after a long trip.
“I have not really noted any mood from them, may be surprised, but we just stayed in the hotel and relaxed after a long trip,” Butler said.
Asked about his approach to the game, the Englishman said: “Same approach, nothing different.”
This means the Zebras will once again line-up in a 3-5-2 formation and might surprise the hosts by going on the offensive early in the match. The overall winner progresses to the group stages, which is the final lap of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers.
Meanwhile, Butler has promised more good times would roll after the Zebras recorded a first ever victory over Mali at the fourth attempt.
“I feel honoured to have played my part and proud as any other Motswana to see the players play like this. This is just the start,” Butler said.
Since his arrival, the diminutive Briton has bravely thrown in youngsters at the deep end, which has seen towering Lebogang Ditsile’s career soar. Ditsile is now a vital piece of Butler’s jigsaw puzzle and was again immense against the physical Malians on Saturday.
Zebras’ probable line-up: Kabelo Dambe, Tebogo Sesome, Boitumelo Mafoko, Mosha Gaolaolwe, Tapiwa Gadibolae, Ofentse Nato, Lebogang Ditsile, Mogakolodi Ngele, Kabelo Seakanyeng, Hendrick Moyo, Joel Mogorosi