Bees will fight Tornado in backyard
High-flyers will find going tough against bogey side
THE battle lines have been drawn with the ABC Motsepe League’s top contenders all set to go toe-to-toe in a local derby.
Third-tier log leaders, Tornado, hosts fierce rivals, EC Bees who are coming off a morale-boosting performance against PSL log leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.
Just three days ago Bees lost to the Brazilians 2-1 during the Nedbank Cup last 16 tie 2-1, putting up a commendable fight against the former African champions.
But today at East London’s North End ground, they will need to topple Mdantsane’s finest who have been holding on to the top of the logstandings.
They will have full intention of maintaining that momentum with so much at stake.
Tornado have only lost two games so far this season, one in the league and one in the Nedbank Cup preliminary round – both to Bees home and away.
But Tornado have done exceptionally well in their league campaign, collecting 61 points after 20 wins and one draw.
Bees are sitting comfortably in third spot with 40 points after 20 wins in the league – with one loss and one draw. Tornado coach Tshepo Motsoeneng said his players needed to be at their best, otherwise they could come up short.
“They [Bees] are still fired up from that game [against Mamelodi Sundowns]. We watched that game but we didn’t see what we needed to see.
“Against Sundowns, Bees played an open squad and they didn’t play most of their U23s and so they went toe-to-toe with Downs.
“In terms of how they finish and start you couldn’t exactly see where they are. But with this game, as coaches, we are going to learn that’s one thing we can bet on.
“Players have to come to the party because you as a coach can plan as much as you want but if players have butterflies in their stomachs you have already lost the game even though it hasn’t started.”
The former Free State Stars goalkeeper said they have the utmost respect for last season’s third-tier league champions but didn’t fear them.
“We are trying to take the title away from Bees so we must engage them well.
“Plus we need to send a strong message that says we are serious about going to the [National First Division] playoffs.
“I know they want to fight and give us a run for our money but when they went to the playoffs it was tricky for them.
“They were second on the log after the last game and Future Tigers were number one. They had a protest and they won.”
Motsoeneng said Bees needed the three points more than his team did.
“They must come to me and show me they’ve come to take the maximum but remember I’m in my own backyard this time round.
“But then, if they do that successfully, I’ll say thank you to them and take a photo with them to say that we are not enemies.
“They should wish us well in a journey to conquer this league and get NFD status.”
He also felt that a lot of soccer lovers would be between a rock and a hard place as they had to choose to watch them or Chippa United against Free State Stars at the Sisa Dukashe at the same time (3pm) today.