The senior national team, the Zebras is expected to host Uganda in a game that will determine their campaign in the tournament. The senior national team coach, Peter Butler remains optimistic that the team will emerge from the weekend game victorious. The Briton said in an interview with The Telegraph Sport that his team is injury free and is hoping the situation remains the same until match day.
“Everything is fine we don’t have any problem. We are looking forward for the weekend encounter. We don’t have injuries in the camp,” said Butler. Though Zebras was planned to play Malawi last weekend the game did not take place because Malawi did not show up. Asked whether that did not disturb his programme, “I don’t need to talk about it because it past, we must look forward. Hopeful it could have helped the team to have a practice match that could have help us to prepare better. I have tried to put the best we can to compensate for the lost international friendly,” he said. The Zebras mentor is mindful of the fact that the Ugandan side is an experienced team.
“We had to control the occasion and not allow the occasion control us” he said.
He further said the team is physically and mentally ready to play the big match on Saturday. On the supporters Butler, appealed to supporters to come in numbers and rally behind the team. Butler who is in love with Francistown stadium said the supporters always come in numbers and the mood is always fantastic.
“I am expecting a great crowd on Saturday” Butler.
“I am always optimistic in every match we play and I am still hopeful that we will qualify to the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations,” he said when asked whether he thinks he will qualify.
Botswana Football Association (BFA) is pushing for maximum attendance.
As a result the BFA has engaged a private company to go around the country arousing excitement and lobbying supporters to attend the match in large numbers. The BFA marketing team was on Monday in Mahalapye canvassing support for the Zebras from mahalapye and surrounding villages. The activations will also reach Tonota, Sebina and few places in Francistown. Since playing in Francistown the senior national team is yet to register a loss in the venue they now call slaughter house.
The Zebras is in Group D together with Burkina Faso, Uganda, and Comoros. Burkina Faso and Uganda accumulated 7 points each from four outings. Zebras is on third spot with 6 points. Comoros is trailing the group with only 3 points after claiming Zebras scull in March.
