Amavarara lose after ignoring own game plan

Failing to stick to the game plan is what cost Amavarara in their 3-2 loss against the mighty P E Stars during an ABC Motsepe League clash at the Saints Ground in Gelvandale, Port Elizabeth, this past weekend.

The Komani-based third-tier club, which had an impressive start to their maiden season, occupying the summit of the log standings for a good three weeks, has since dropped to position five with 27 points.

Meanwhile the more experienced and decorated Stars are sitting at second place on the log with 29 points, and in a surprising turn of events, Sibanye have a assumed the log leader’s position with 31 points.

Amavarara head coach, Athenkosi Sali conceded they had given away a good game they could have easily won.

“Stars were trailing behind us because we scored first in the first stanza. When we came back for the second half we again scored first. Then they had to come back again.

“But I’m happy because we dictated to them during the game, but what’s concerning is that we forgot to stick to the game plan.

“We only kept to it in mind during the first ten minutes of the game, but then we tended to get excited and forget the basics of the plan,” said Sali.

The undesired result marked Amavarara’s fourth loss since they ascended from the SAB League to the third-tier league for the 2018-19 season.

“The organisation of the team was good. We just conceded silly goals through set pieces. For a club that started the league in high spirits we’re still chasing for the number one spot.

“And we want to commit to the third-tier title, and we are willing to fight for it, and we know things will get better in the club, because we need to improve the team’s position on the log standing.”

Sali said they were preparing to lock horns with former National First Division club Mthatha Bucks in Komani.

“We might as well fight for three points so the battle continues, and we are still going to fight until the whistle.

“Bucks is the most experienced team in the league, but we are going to make things hard for them.

And we want to commit to the third-tier title, and we are willing to fight for it

“We know they [Bucks] are good opponents, and we’ve beaten them twice. We played them during pre-season and we played our first game against them, and we won both matches.

“So we won’t take them for granted, bearing in mind that in football you win or lose. But moving forward we still want to fight for the league and Bucks will have to cripple us for the maximum points.”

“We just need to plan how we approach that game, and be fully prepared for it.”

Other results: Yakha United 4 Matta Milan 0, Butterworth 0 Sibanye 1, The Guys 0 Highbury 2, Tornado 2 Swartkops Valley United Brothers 1, Mthatha Bucks 1 Birmingham City 3, Bush Bucks Academy 3 Future Tigers 3, Peace Makers 1 Bizana Pondo Chiefs 0