Bucks star rising after crucial win

IT is amazing what three points can do.

Mthatha Bucks can attest to this because the club, which not long ago were staring relegation in the face, have now guaranteed their survival after a 1-0 victory over Highlands Park last Sunday.

Their win not only secured their NFD status for next season but they also climbed to 11th place in the log standings – the highest position they have achieved since they were promoted last August.

Now the Mthatha outfit stand a chance to rise further to the 10th spot when the curtain comes down on the 2015-16 NFD season.

That is if they beat Royal Eagle away from home on Sunday and pray that Santos lose to F C Cape Town on the same day.

But what will be of paramount importance for Bucks is how they move away from the euphoria that set in after the all-important victory over Highlands.

That excitement might lead to complacency, especially now that there is nothing at stake for the clash against Eagles.

But Amathol’amnyama head coach Velile Dyaloyi said there was no room for such as he expected his charges to give it their all in the final match of the season.

Bucks will be bolstered by the return of their first choice goalkeeper Mlungisi Maranti who could not finish their previous match due to a knock to the head that scared many after he was taken away by an ambulance from the field.

According to Dyaloyi, Maranti was back in training and “available for selection”.

Bucks will be looking to also capitalise on their opponents’ spirits, which are down after they bombed out of the race for the promotion playoff spots following a controversial three-all draw to Witbank Spurs on Monday.

Although there is nothing at stake to play for in the upcoming match after surviving relegation, Dyaloyi believes players still need to prove themselves as the campaign for renewal of contracts is in full swing.

Having been given a two-day break on Monday and Tuesday “to recuperate”, Bucks players will be expected to show smoke and bow out of the 2015-16 campaign with their heads held high. —