Bucks in tough fight to survive

DESPITE his team picking up just two points from their last five matches, Mthatha Bucks head coach Duncan Lechesa is still confident his team can survive the dreaded drop to the ABC Motsepe League.

Currently propping up the table on 20 points, six points from safety, Amathol’amnyama still have a mathematical chance of extending their stay in the second-tier league.

With this in mind the former Free State Stars captain said he still believed they would be able to fight and keep their NFD status when the season concludes, but only if they win their next two games.

This will no doubt be a difficult time for a team on a six-match winless run.

Their survival quest begins with a tough encounter away to mid-table Witbank Spurs at the Puma Rugby Stadium in Mpumalanga on Saturday – a match described by Lechesa as a “must-win game – just like a Cup final”.

Bucks then take on a Richards Bay side that currently lies 11th on the log standings with 27 points.

This could be a proverbial sixpointer as a win for Bucks would not only see them inch closer to safety but also draw Richards Bay into the relegation quagmire.

It won’t get any easier for Eastern Cape’s lone NFD side as next up will be a trip away to NFD log-leaders Highlands Park at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa.

With a possible 18 points to play for, Lechesa believes survival is still possible but only if his charges believe in themselves as much as he does.

“Even though the feeling is not good in the team, we still have chances to recover,” he said.

“But, it’s going to be a battle of getting points, so we just have to win on Saturday,” said Lechesa.

The embattled coach said the team spent the whole of last week preparing for a game that could set the tone for the remainder of the season.

Lechesa admitted that his team under performed when going down 2-1 to Uthongathi at the Mthatha Stadium last weekend.

“The hunger from the boys was not there to start with.

“But we went back to the drawing board and I think they are ready and they now know relegation from this league would be a blow to local football lovers and business.

“It won’t just affect them as the team alone but the entire province will suffer from relegation.”

Bucks last three matches are against Jomo Cosmos, Real Kings and Super Eagles.