18 Jun 2015

The Zebras goes into the African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifiers against Lesotho on Sunday, June 21 with a bruised ego.Without doubt the Zebras have been performing below par this year. Since Peter Butler took over the team has played about 25 matches and won nine, lost eleven and drew five games.

Butler’s mission has been to revamp the team by introducing an open attacking style of play. He has assembled a young side with good players who are able to express themselves with the ball at their feet.

But results have not been impressive. Feeble marking at the back has contributed to the team shipping unnecessary goals while a shy attack makes it difficult to score. 

After some disappointing results at the COSAFA Cup and last weekend’s AFCON qualifiers defeat to Uganda, the Zebras would be hard pressed to bring positive results. Butler has said that the players would gain more experience by playing more games. Considering the age of his players, with more experience the Zebras could be transformed into a force to be reckoned with in future.

We have seen this through the likes of Lesotho and Swaziland, which recently went through a transition and changed their squad by taking off old players. Lesotho has been a very competitive while Swaziland thrashed the Zebras 4-1 last year.  Likewise, if given time and positive support this team will come out giant killers.

Butler has at his disposal good ball players like Segolame Boy, Onkabetse Makgantai and Mpho Kgaswane who are capable of upsetting opposition with the good skills when attacking.

The match would be played at Setsoto Stadium in Maseru at 3pm. The return leg would be held at the National Stadium on July 4 at 3pm. ENDS