Bees head into testing challenge

EC BEES may be campaigning two rungs below Mamelodi Sundowns but that has not eased the burden of carrying the Eastern Cape’s hopes going into their crucial clash tonight.

Bees and Sundowns lock horns in the last 16 of the Nedbank Cup, in a competition known for pitting young Davids up against Goliaths.

The Motsepe League outfit remains the only provincial side left in the competition after PSL side Chippa United tumbled at Free State Stars hurdle at the weekend.

The mammoth task awaiting Bees is not lost on the Buffalo City Metro after it sent well-wishes for the side to prove they are a David.

BCM spokesman Samkelo Ngwenya said the municipality was fully behind EC Bees in the quest to make history.

Ngwenya said the type of support Bees got when they played Orlando Pirates in last year’s competition when they drew a full house at Sisa Dukashe stadium in Mdantsane shone the spotlight on the entire metro.

“They played against a popular team and their performance of the day met with the top side poundfor-pound.

Ngwenya believes that could stun Sundowns if showed the same resilience displayed against Pirates.

“And as a result we take solace in that form and we think that they should know that the city really believes in the team and we are more than convinced that they are going to cause an upset tonight.” Bees they they

With Bees achieving such milestone in top-flight football, Ngwenya believes BCM is not far behind from achieving its ultimate goal to have a team playing at the highest level of football.

While Bees will go into tonight’s clash as underdogs, they are already seen as winners locally for going as far as they did.

Beating the African champions would be a humongous feat.

“We are saying regardless of the results tonight – we are hoping the Bees will use the game for two reasons.

“Firstly to measure themselves in as far as how far they are in playing top-flight football.

“Secondly for experience, so they can come back and use that experience to better our football administration.”