Butler to persuade Nato
Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday May 18, 2016 15:10
The Zebras are in camp in preparation for a crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Uganda in Francistown on June 4.
Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ gritty midfielder, Lesego Galenamotlhale and Police XI kingpin, Tapiwa Gadibolae are other notable absentees after the Zebras assembled in Gaborone on Sunday night.
Butler said he had not lost hope that Nato will join the camp as he enjoys a cordial relationship with the player.
“He will come, I have a very good relationship with him. He is a bit fragile but is a good lad. The turn up has been good, but I will meet ‘Size 10’ soon. Lesego has not turned up, may be today (yesterday).
The players have been really positive and enthusiastic as always,” Butler said yesterday. But a source close to the player (Nato) said he will not be part of the team. “No (he will not).
He has not trained since his ban and is not fit,” the source said. He said Police XI had not released midfielder, Gadibolae and the coach was unaware of the reasons.
Meanwhile, Butler is in the dark regarding the Lesotho friendly match date which the Botswana Football Association (BFA) has lined-up. The BFA announced it had secured two friendly matches against Lesotho and Malawi to help the team prepare for Uganda.
The Zebras are third in Group D just a point behind joint leaders, Burkina Faso and Uganda with two rounds of qualifiers remaining.