Bees vow to sting visiting Uthongathi
‘Crazy Gang’ ready to give their all at Sisa Dukashe
EASTERN Cape Bees are expected to come out guns blazing when they open their ABC Motsepe playoffs campaign against KwaZulu-Natal Uthongathi at Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane this morning (kick-off 9am).
This will be the first game of Group B as on Monday and Tuesday only Group A games were played.
Whether the NU2 pitch will be in a good condition remains to be seen as the stadium hosted three rugby games on Sunday during the SuperSport Rugby Challenge.
But the “Crazy Gang” will be eager to start the playoffs on a positive note as a loss might make it difficult to claim one of the two National First Division (NFD) spots up for grabs.
At stake is not just a spot in the NFD but R1-million and bragging rights.
Being the hosting province will have an added pressure on the Bhisho outfit.
But team manager Zama Nene told the Daily Dispatch yesterday that the team was raring to go.
“There’s a lot of adrenaline rush in the camp right now. The boys are ready in as much as there is a lot of excitement.
“There is also a lot of calming implemented because now they really need to calm down – their nerves must be down,” she said. “They just need to focus now.” Bees which dominated in the league will have to produce its best all-round showing if they are to be the second Eastern Cape outfit playing NFD soccer next season.
“It’s imperative that we start on a great kick meaning we need to win our first game.
“We wouldn’t want the momentum of the team to drop because of the first game.
“So the very first game is very important and we need to capitalise on all the points.
“We just need to hit the home run tomorrow,” she said.
One man that will have extra pressure on him is the Bees leading goalscorer Bongani Chikila as he will be expected to continue with his impressive goalscoring form.
His experience will have to come to play and instead of wanting to do everything by himself he will have to show maturity.
Bees are aware that the “Cane Cutters”, as the Tongaat-based Uthongathi are affectionately known will not be easy opponents.
Whichever team wins today it might be in the driving seat and be a step closer to gaining promotion to the NFD.
But that will also depend on the result between Zizwe United of the Western Cape and Northern Cape top club Mainstay United in the second Group B encounter. Nene said they were injury free. “We are doing light training, no heavy tackles whatsoever. ”
Commenting on the state of the pitch, Nene said they had been assured it would be in good condition.
“It was quite a major concern when we went there but the Eastern Cape has one of the best groundsman being overlooked by Mr Dlova.
“He did assure us that the pitch will be ready in time and that we’re not going to experience any problems when it comes to the pitch,” she said. Today’s fixtures: EC Bees v Uthongathi (9am); Zizwe United v Mainstay United (11am);
Maccabi FC v Super Eagles (1pm);
The Dolphins v Acornbush United (3pm).