11 Nov 2015

The senior football national team, the Zebras coach, Peter Butler has said he is confident of a win against Mali in the FIFA Russia 2018 second round qualifier on Saturday at 1600 hours at the new Francistown Sports Complex.

Butler said this in an interview with BOPA during a training session for his team on Tuesday afternoon.

The Zebras take on the Eagles of Mali on Saturday in a match to secure a space in the group stages of the 2018 World Cup qualifiers to be hosted by Russia.

He said his charges, mostly a crop of youngsters, have shown a high level of morale ahead of the all-important game and is confident his team is charged up to give Mali a run for their money.

The gaffer said the team started training at the new stadium on Monday having arrived in Francistown on Sunday.

Despite few hiccups over goalkeeper Mwampule Masule and talented attacking left winger Galabgwe Moyana, he said he had no worries as the whole team was physically and psychologically prepared for the game.

Masule had to be released from camp due to a pressing family matter and the coach roped in Orapa United goalkeeper, Mosimanegape Robert while Moyana is out nursing an injury.

“We are well aware of the kind of team we are facing but we are confident to give them a hard time and we will not show them any respect in the pitch but we will attack from the first to the last minute,” said the confident Butler.

He said burly striker Omatla Kebatho is in camp and is fit to play after recovering well from the last injury and has shed off some few kilogrammes, which is good news for the team.

Furthermore, he said playing in front of the Francistown supporters always gives his team a huge morale booster, hence he urged many people to attend the game in large numbers.

For his part, the team captain Boitumelo ‘Navara’ Mafoko said he was confident of a win come Saturday as the team morale was very high.

The Saturday encounter is equally important for both teams as neither have qualified for the World Cup before.

Mali has made their intentions clear by bringing all their overseas based players in the likes of Adama Tamboura, Samba Sow, Cheick Tidiane Diabate and Bakary Sako among others.

Local supporters believe that football is an unpredictable game and are optimistic that the Zebras would defy the odds and leave the continent in awe by defeating the 2013 AFCON third place finalists.

Zebras supporter, Gofaone Mashona, predicted a 1-0 victory for the Zebras courtesy of South African Absa Premiership side Mamelodi Sundowns Midfielder, Mogakolodi ‘Tsotso’ Ngele.The Zebras leaves for Mali immediately after the game for a return leg of their World Cup qualifier at the Stade du 26 Mars in Bamako, Mali, to be played November 17. Ends