07 Jul 2015

Zebras head coach; Peter Butler says he will not  resign despite heavy criticism concerning the national team’s poor results.

Supporters watching the African Nations Championships (CHAN) qualifier draw against Lesotho at the National Stadium on Saturday, July 4 booed and called for the coach’s immediate resignation.

Lesotho progressed to the final qualifier against Zimbabwe after edging the Zebras on away- goal rule following a 1-1 aggregate draw.

Butler told journalists after the match, that he was not going anywhere, and he was in this country for the long term to build the team. When it was brought to his attention that Zebras lost to Lesotho and failed to reach the COSAFA final, he was quick to point out that he works hard and with dignity.

“Did you ever get to the semi-final of COSAFA? Mind you my mandate was to reach the semi-finals and my mandate is my business and the Botswana Football Association knows what I am trying to do,” he said.

Butler further said he was using six players in the senior national team whose ages range between 19-22 years, adding that when he took over the average age of players was 30 years.

He said he was aware that his duty was to win games, but at the same time the most important thing was to build the foundation first.

“If you journalist don’t like it, its unfortunate and you can write what you want about me. I don’t read newspapers. All I do is to work hard with players to develop for the long term future. You are entitled to your own opinion and I am also entitled to my own opinion,” he said. ENDS