Butler quits

The Zebras 1-0 loss to Mauritania this past weekend might have been a tipping point in the rocky relationship between English headcoach Peter Butler and his employers at the BFA Botswana Football Association.

This week South African media outlets linked the polarising coach to PSL outfit Platinum Stars. Butler is expected to replace Dikwena coach Cavin Johnson who has since parted ways with the Rustenburg outfit.

Butler’s last game was a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier at the Francistown Sports Complex where his charges lost by a single goal to Mauritania. Following the crushing loss at the Zebras stronghold, Butler was quick to express his disappointment over how the BFA handled the national team.

This week impeccable sources close to the matter alleged that Butler underwent an interview in Rustenburg, SA on Tuesday. In an interview this week, BFA spokesperson Tumo Mpatane said Butler is still an employee of the BFA.

“As far as we are concerned Butler is still an employee of the association and he has a contract with us,” he said. Efforts to contact Butler on Tuesday were futile as his phone was not available throughout the day.

However, there were reports that he had been interviewed for the Dikwena job in South Africa, which we couldn’t independently verify at the time of writing. Mpatane said that the national team is expected to report for camp soon in preparation for the upcoming Cosafa cup scheduled from 25th June until 9th July. In addition Mpatane said they are aware of recent reports linking Butler to Dikwena.

“We will sit down with him and try to understand the issue,” he said. Nevertheless, Mpatane said they have since agreed in principle to another long term contract with Butler. “Our hope is that he will sign the contract.

If that is not the case we will look for a replacement.” The former West Ham United player took over the reigns at Zebras three years ago and his football philosophy quickly unsettled local football supporters.

Compared to his predecessor Stanley Tshosane, Butler preferred to play with an eclectic squad and frequently introduced young players to the squad. Over the years Butler’s team selection became a hotly-debated topic and received mixed reaction from football supporters and the media across the country.

Thus far the coach, who arrived in the country amidst pomp and fanfare, has never qualified for any of the top tier competitions including Afcon and FIFA World Cup. Perhaps Butler’s magnum opus was making it to the finals of the 2016 Castle cup in Namibia where the Zebras made it to the finals and lost to South Africa 2-0. Nevertheless, Butler’s relentless approach of introducing inexperienced players in the national team has uncovered several talented players who are now cracking the PSL market in South Africa. Such players include Thero Setsile, Onkabetse Makganthai, Thabang Sesinyi, Anthony Gouws and Lebogang Ditsile.