Enthusiastic vibes grip Bucks camp
Top marksman is convinced side will fight to bitter end
MTHATHA Bucks leading goalscorer Mpho Erasmus says his batteries are recharged for their National First Divison clash against Mbombela United at the Mthatha Stadium tomorrow afternoon.
Bucks are in a relegation dogfight, sitting at the bottom of the log-standings with 15 points. Erasmus admitted they were carrying a lot on their shoulders, but he maintained that things will improve for Amathol’amnyama.
“Pressure is always there – even before the season starts, and it’s not like I’m the only one under pressure, because everyone in the team has their own pressure they’re dealing with. Because the club doesn’t deserve to be in the position we are in on the standings.
“So we just need to deliver on Saturday, because we are playing at home and it’s always packed at the stadium,” said Erasmus.
Last season’s top goalscorer in the ABC Motsepe League at Zizwe United said the new additions to Amathol’mnyama like Siyabonga “Wonder Kid” Dubula had added value to the Mthatha-based outfit.
“We are gelling well with the new guys, we are beginning to understand coach Duncan Lechesa’s style of play. I think this game against Mbombela will set a pace for the team going forward because the mood at the camp is amazing.
“The guys are really responding well to each other, and I can tell that you that we are going to win tomorrow. And our plan now going forward is to move up the logstandings, because we can’t be sitting at the bottom, that’s the first thing that needs to happen.
“And luckily the teams above us are not too far from us when it comes to points, when we win only three games – we’ll be in a much better position.”
Amathol’amnyama also have the Nedbank Cup to ponder about after they beat Uthongathi 2-1 in the preliminary stages, and Erasmus said they were determined to make it into the last 16 teams.
Bucks will face AmaZulu at King Zwelithini Stadium on February 7.
“Me and the guys watched AmaZulu on Wednesday against Bloemfontein Celtic and when I look at them – we can catch them with a surprise when it comes to one on ones.
“We’ve been doing our own research on the way they play and the assessments we’ve been doing on them will help us go there and come back with a win to qualify for the last 16 teams.
“But the most important of all to us at the moment is winning our league games. As much as we want to do well in the Nedbank Cup we are focused on the league.”
The prolific striker said he was excited that the new bunch in the team including Dubula had already started showing their worth by scoring goals, something the club was struggling with in the first round.
“I think that we stand a good chance of getting out of this situation we are currently in, because I also have scored three goals in three matches since we came back from the break.
“My batteries are recharged and honestly we are getting everything we as players need from the club management. Even on camp and the way we travel... we just need to pull up our socks and deliver good results to the fans.”
Bucks have also acquired the services of two former Free State Stars midfielders – Sello Japhta and Angelo Kerspuy and Rwandan-born goalkeeper, Olivier Kwizera.