Zebras’ head coach James Butler is reportedly becoming increasingly frustrated by delays by his employers to get him a brand new car. Reports indicate that Botswana Football Association (BFA) is struggling to honour its contractual agreement with the Englishman, as they reportedly can’t find him the kind of vehicle he wants. Butler, who resides at the Central Business District (CBD), reportedly uses cabs to move around on a daily basis, something which sources say is inconveniencing him.
“Butler is not happy with the way the association is handling this issue. He may not say it to the press but he is hurting inside. It’s not fair for him to be troubling people to transport him. First he had to spend three months in a hotel, now he has to live without a car. The BFA must understand that the coach has to be happy for him to deliver results,” said a source.
BFA chief executive officer Keith Masters was unable to say when they will be able to get Butler his car.
“This is an unfortunate situation. But we offered him a Ford Ranger that was used by the previous coach and he declined,” he said.
Masters also revealed that the coach pays his own cab fare and receives no help from BFA. While others have expressed fears that the current state of affairs might force the coach to leave, Butler has in the past reiterated that despite challenges during the early months of his stay in Botswana, he has made a commitment to the BFA.
“My love for Botswana and its people will help me soldier on,” he said.
Butler was recently short listed for a job with the Rwandan national team, but the East African country has since appointed another Briton, Stephen Constantine, for the job. Libya and Malaysia were also said to be interested his services. Meanwhile, the Zebras were expected to arrive in the country from Bujumbura on Tuesday, where they held Burundi to a goalless draw in the first leg of the preliminary stages of the 2015 African Nations Cup qualifiers. It was the Zebras’ first official game under Butler. The Zebras finished the match with 10 men after defender Oscar Ncenga was sent off by Tunisian referee Med Said Kordi.
After the game, Zebras skipper Joel Mogorosi said: “We fought as a unit and deserved better. We will surely do better in the return leg.”
The Zebras host the Swallows in a match scheduled for Lobatse Stadium on June 1.  The winner of the match will go on to meet either Central African Republic or Guinea-Bissau.
