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Botswana coach Bright focuses on preparations for Bafana clash despite questions over his appointment

Lemponye Tshireletso of Botswana challenged by Tercious Male of South Africa during 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Botswana and South Africa at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on 04 July 2017. Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
Lemponye Tshireletso of Botswana challenged by Tercious Male of South Africa during 2017 Cosafa Castle Cup match between Botswana and South Africa at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg on 04 July 2017. Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix

Botswana coach David Bright has had to defend his appointment just days before his side takes on South Africa in the African Nations Championship (CHAN) qualifiers after a scathing attack from his predecessor in which he was labeled a “dinosaur”.

South African fans and media will soon learn that new Platinum Stars coach Peter Butler has a sharp tongue‚ and he pulled no punches in his assessment of the decision by the Botswana Football Association (BFA) to appoint Bright as his successor when his contract expired last month.

“If you appoint dinosaurs‚ expect pre-historic ideas and vision‚” Butler tweeted‚ in reference to veteran coach Bright‚ who has previously worked in South Africa with Bay United‚ Santos and most recently Black Leopards.

He then went on to suggest Bright would draw from his previous club‚ Morupule Wanderers‚ for the national team.

“Moruple Wanderers has now become the national team feeder group‚ what a wonderful idea‚ well done [BFA board member] Masego Nchingane‚ you are a revolutionary!”

Bright batted away the attack as his side prepares to face South Africa in Francistown on Saturday‚ and hit back at the Dikwena coach.

“I don’t focus on such stupid things. I don’t regard him as a professional and I don’t even know him. I have never spoken to Butler‚” Bright told reporters.

It is an unsavoury incident in the build-up to the CHAN qualifier‚ where Botswana have selected a strong squad of home-based players against the rookies of Stuart Baxter.

Bright returns to the Botswana national team post for a fourth time‚ with the 61-year-old having signed a three-year contract in his latest stint.

 - TimesLIVE

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