Bucks face top team but fancy their chances

SOMETIMES fighting against the odds can bring the best out of a team.

This may well be the case at Mthatha Stadium this afternoon when Mthatha Bucks host high-flying Royal Eagles in a National First Division (NFD) encounter at 3.30pm.

Its the stuff of David versus Goliath with the home side being the former while the visitors are the latter.

The KwaZulu-Natal side come to Mthatha bringing confidence, especially on attack, having scored a whopping 26 goals in 10 outings.

Their confidence is further bolstered by their unblemished record against the Mthatha outfit having won both of the two previous encounters.

But Bucks are expected to put up a good fight because for them, not only will three valuable points be at stake but they will be out to protect their undefeated record in their backyard this season.

On recent form the visitors come out tops, having collected 14 points from a possible 18 in their previous six outings courtesy of 18 goals.

Bucks with the same number of games managed just seven points through a win, four draws and a loss.

This is exactly why Kosta Papic’s charges are the favourites to bag all three points on offer.

The former Serbian Orlando Pirates mentor is happy with his sides performance so far.

“We always attack, always try to score more goals. Yes, we do work on that (attacking), no doubt about it. But at the same time, you must think about your defence,’’ Papic is quoted as saying on the PSL website.

“So far the team is not looking bad but there are a lot of things that need to be improved. So far we have been coping, the results that are coming, I must be happy. But I still believe we have more things to show than what we have shown so far,” he added.

But Bucks have warned Eagles, saying they can forget about coming out with maximum points despite their recent form.

Bucks assistant coach Sibusiso Mapompo said: “You are as good as your last game and football generally has a way of springing surprises.

“Yes, Eagles have been doing well of late but tomorrow will be a different ball game and we are counting on our 12th man which is our supporters.”

Eagles will be happy that Bucks’ top scorer Mazwi Mncube is out suspended after being sent for an early shower in his side’s previous match against Magesi FC.

Mncube will not only miss out on a chance to hurt his former employers but an opportunity to increase his tally as well.

His unavailability will be a big blow for the home side because not only was he scoring goals but he is one man who make them tickr. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za