Bucks defeat a learning curve

MTHATHA Bucks’ striker Mpho Erasmus thinks their 3-1 defeat at the hands of Royal Eagles at the Harry Gwala Stadium, Pietermaritzburg was a learning curve that would only make Amathol'amnyama stronger in the National First Division.

New recruit Luyolo Nomandela scored his first goal for Bucks during the first half and that was the only time the Mthatha outfit rattled the net during the game.

But Erasmus believes they will bounce back in no time as they have set their sights on staging a comeback with Cape Town All Stars at home at the Mthatha Stadium.

“We will come back against All Stars. Right now they in third position with 11 points and when we beat them we'll get back to the third position with 12 points. So we are going to fix things; hence we not worried.

“The team is still going strong and were not demotivated by this result because we learn from each and every experience we get.”

Erasmus said they created enough chances to steal the desired three points away from home but the lack of finishing was their weakness on the day.

“We could have scored three times as well but we could not close the many chances we had and I don't why that was the case, but during the second we just didn't combine well.

“We started very well and that's why we scored early in the match because we were all over Eagles during the first half of the game.

“As a result of that Luyolo [Nomandela] managed to put one goal past their keeper before half-time.”

Erasmus said he would not make excuses for his side because they were a solid attacking pack and they would own up to their mistakes.

“I was playing with Linda Bhengu who occupied the left wing, and the right wing was Sihle Mbhele and then behind me was Nomandela, and we tried but it was not our day, I guess.

“But we can still fix this especially since we are playing at home. We can use that to our advantage and make sure that we steal three, because no team is allowed to do as they please here at home.”

Last week Bucks Ian Palmer admitted that his strikers’ reactions were getting slower.

Erasmus couldn't close two or more chances as the lethal player had during the game against Stellenbosch FC.