Bucks can’t take strugglers lightly
MTHATHA Bucks coach Ian Palmer goes into today’s National First Division game against basement-dwellers, Magesi FC, mindful of the threat they pose.
In fact, if it was up to him, Bucks would be playing table-toppers, Thanda Royal Zulu, instead of Magesi, who are desperate for points.
But whether they like it or not, Amathol’amnyama have a date with the struggling Magesi FC at the Mthatha Stadium today (kick-off 3.30pm).
The Polokwane outfit are fighting to survive the relegation axe – and this could make them a difficult opponent.
“We can’t go into the game underestimating them. I’ve looked into them and there’s strength in the team,” Palmer said.
“I would rather play against a team that is on top of the log than, play against a team at the bottom of the table because they are fighting for their lives,” he added.
Bucks are fresh from their disappointing 3-2 loss to Royal Eagles last weekend, which saw them drop from position six to nine. Any of the top 10 teams are still in with a chance of qualifying for the much desired play-offs spot.
The Mthatha side squandered several clear-cut chances in the first-half of the Eagles’s game.
This week, Bucks worked on shooting in front of goal and Palmer is confident his marksmen will not be wayward today.
“We can’t afford to be dropping points now, especially at home.
“The league is getting tougher and tougher each week.
“The players must be ready until the end of the season. We can’t afford to lose concentration now,” Palmer said.
“We worked a lot on of finishing this week as we created a lot of chances against Royal Eagles and had we converted the chances we created, we would have been 4-1 up at half-time.”
Luckily for Palmer, he will have a near full squad compliment for the first time since taking over from Velile Dyaloyi at the beginning of the year.
While experienced striker Sydney “Eto’o” Masana, who missed the previous game because of suspension will be available for selection, Andile Njokweni will begin serving his suspension after he was red-carded against Eagles.
In Masana’s absence, Zambian striker Chilesha Kangwa stepped up and delivered on the day, with he and Bucks’s leading goal-scorer Mazwi “Jomo” Mncube being on target against Eagles.
Whoever Palmer chooses to lead the assault from the front will have to have their scoring boots on.
While he was yet to choose his starting line-up when he spoke to the Daily Dispatch, Mncube’s selection should be a guarantee as he has scored nine goals from 16 matches.
“We have no injuries and one suspension going in to the game. It’s a headache, but a good headache because we have a fully fit team to pick from.
“I would rather have that headache than to worry about injuries and suspensions,” he said.
When the two sides met at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on November 5 last year, Magesi FC held Bucks to a 1-1 draw.
The home side will have an opportunity to get the better of the visitors and steal four points from the NFD rookies, which will take Amathol’amanyama to 28 points.
And with Mthatha’s passionate fans again expected to rally behind the team, Bucks should easily put the visitors to the sword.
In the three games that the former Pirates marksman has been at the helm, he has drawn 0-0 with Jomo Cosmos, won 2-1 against Amazulu and lost 3-2 against Eagles.