Zebras gaffer Adel Amrouche has allegedly skipped the country for personal reasons in Belgium ahead of the crucial Afcon 2021 qualifier matches against Zambia in the first week of November.
The Belgian tactician boarded out of the country this week and his duties are said to be executed by German coach Carolin Braun who is currently working as the acting Botswana Football Association (BFA) Technical Director (T.D) during his absence.
With the imminent national team camp, close source revealed that despite his plea to travel, the BFA top brass was against his travel as it is crucial for the national gaffer to await green light from the government and health authorities to commence preparations and selection of the national team.
Headed for an encounter against Chipolopolo of Zambia, his counterpart Millutin ’Micho’ Sredojevic is reportedly monitoring his international players making strides abroad and the ABSA premiership. Addressing the Zambian press a week ago, Micho indicated that he is eyeing maximum points against the Zebras.
‘’The association believe its wrong timing for the coach to leave now as they are waiting for response after consultative meetings with the government regarding the Zambia matches. It is said he will not stay away longer but the other predicament remains that a mandatory quarantine awaits him which will take time for him to execute his duties,’’ a source revealed to Sunday Standard.
Speaking to Braun, the German expert said it is unfortunate that CAF released continental competition fixtures following a long stall of competition. She confirmed that the coach flew out this week and is expected to return as soon as the green light for the return of football shows.
‘’It has been a while without action and CAF wants football to return and the fact of the matter is that the pandemic affected countries differently as it is clear for us now that government does not allow contact sport. The national team coach left this week and hope he will return the following week as at the moment there is no solution on way forward regarding our next match. The squad selection has already started and all national coaches are engaged in assisting as there are a lot of aspects of assessing players health and conditioning,’’ said Brown
She further said that they are trying their best to ensure that the return to football is safe and conducive for players and all stakeholders. We will do our best to play the qualifiers but it should be clear that we must be cleared by medical protocols as no one should be put at risk,’’ concluded Braul.