Bucks confident their speeding Express will not be derailed
WILL La Liga be the side to derail the speeding ABC Motsepe League train of log-leaders Mthatha Bucks?
The answer lies at the Thandanani Stadium in Matatiele, where the two will lock horns at 3pm tomorrow.
Both technical teams admit it’s going to be a tough game. La Liga has a slight edge being on home turf.
Bucks are cautious as they know well what the Matatiele side does to high-flyers after it defeated title contenders Tornado two weeks ago.
“We are aware La Liga are in good form but we are going there to fight knowing three points will get us closer to what we want to achieve,” said Bucks team manager Doc Tukute.
“It is not going to be easy and I must say we are on high alert because with one wrong step other title contenders will get closer.”
Bucks will meet a determined La Liga who are fighting their own battle to finish in the top four under the guidance of a highly rated coach, former Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs player Chippa Molatedi.
They are currently sixth with 35 points, trailing fifth-placed FC Elliot by six points.
“Three points is important for us as we seek to close the gap and edge closer to that fourth-place finish,” said a confident Molatedi.
“In my coaching career I have never finished below that position.”
Tukute, who usually sounds confident, was rather cool about this encounter but said he fancied their chances because “you’ve got to win such games if you aspire to be a champion”.
Bucks have been on an 11-day break without a competitive game, which may be to their advantage come tomorrow – or the very opposite.
Tukute believes the first will be the case as the break afforded them time to nurse injuries, but he admitted the latter might come into play in instances of losing momentum.
He draws solace from the pattern of the season, wherein whenever they lose, the second- and third-placed contenders usually follow suit.
“But we cannot count on that this time around because if you look at Tornado, they are playing Cacadu United and I don’t see them losing that in a million years,” said Tukute.
Molatedi said he was not bothered by Bucks as he focused on his team.
Among the things that made him happy and positive about victory tomorrow was the positive response from his charges to his philosophy and vision.
“But I hope refereeing is up to standard because poor refereeing is killing football in this province,” Molatedi complained.
“Otherwise, I trust my soldiers will go out there and secure maximum points.”
● Tornado are away to relegationbound Cacadu, where the Mdantsane side are guaranteed three points.
Should Bucks lose and Tornado win, the gap between them closes to three points with one game in hand for Tornado.
Highbury are hosting Real City in what is expected to be a cracker of a Nelson Mandela Metro derby.
At the other end of the table, Tembu Royals and Cacadu are as good as relegated barring a serious miracle.