Butler deal close as Zebras reach five year low
Mqondisi Dube | Friday April 7, 2017 18:18
Sources said Butler’s contract is being polished up, with the Botswana Football Association (BFA) top brass working on deliverables while no significant changes are expected in the package.
“There won’t be any significant changes to the deal. At the moment, it’s about drawing up targets for the coach and he is expected to sign a three-year deal,” a source said.
The BFA has refused to divulge contract negotiations progress, but this week said the two parties have agreed to a three-month extension.
Butler is preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers beginning in June. The Englishman has work on his hands as the Zebras have slid from 115 to number 120 on the FIFA rankings released yesterday. This is the team’s worst ranking since they reached number 121 in 2012.
A six-month hiatus coupled with a 2-0 international friendly loss to Tanzania compounded Zebras’ challenges. The BFA has been unable to put together friendly matches for the national side, citing financial constraints.
Meanwhile, Butler has called for the banning of foreign players 30 years or older from the Premiership. The coach said it is detrimental to field aging players at the expense of youth.
“It inhibits the growth of youngsters. The only one who can be exempt are those playing for their respective national teams,” Butler said.
He said Premiership teams should be forced to have Under-13, 15,17 and 21 sides, otherwise they should not be allowed to play in the league.
“Salaries should also be capped to a reasonable level and use the money to put into younger age groups. In any given match day 18 man squad, there should be a minimum of five under 21 players in that squad and three on the field.”
Butler also criticised local players for going down easily looking for decisions.
“Botswana players have created a bad habit of going down easily looking for fouls. They send out a wrong message to the opposition that they are soft touches. They have to get this out of their game. It started in the Premier League now it has filtered to lower league,” he said.
“They have to man up and stop being soft and stop spoiling the flow of the game. The Jwaneng Galaxy goalkeeper was dreadful over the weekend, wasting time, and it’s not good for the spectators. We criticise referees at times but it’s getting difficult for them.”