Full deck of wins will do for Tornado
Ex-PSL defender Vuyisile Ntombaythethi, playing for Tornado, says the only way to successfully defend their ABC Motsepe League championship title is to win all 12 games remaining in the league.
The former Lamontville Golden Arrows defender said they will have to approach their ABC Motsepe clash against PE Stars with caution when they host the Port Elizabeth outfit at Sisa Dukashe Stadium on Saturday.
After winning the third-tier league title with more than five games in hand last season, Tornado will have to brace themselves for a battle of the ages. They are currently leading the pack by just one point, sitting on 38 points.
Former National First Division side, Mthatha Bucks is second on the log with 37 points, and PE Stars occupy third position with 35 points.
Ntombaythethi told the Daily Dispatch that so far the team was doing well, according to their valuation of their performance, but if they wanted to clinch the title again this season, they had to account for every single opponent they face.
“We won the last game with a very thin score, but nevertheless we are going to take it one step at a time until the season concludes.
“Because we know it’s not an easy road to travel when you want to be a champion in this league, but the club wants to go to the [ABC Motsepe League promotional] playoffs.
“And everyone is working together with the coaches, with the one goal of winning every game in front of us to qualify for playoffs,” said Ntombaythethi.
The Mdantsane-based club is coming out of another moraleboosting 1-0 win against defiant Butterworth.
The experienced skipper said having to face the league heavyweights after their tough encounter with Butterworth, who don’t easily give in, would go a long way in ensuring they outclass both Bucks and Stars.
“The next two games we are going to play against PE Stars and Mthatha Bucks will be crucial, and I’m anticipating a very tough time from both teams.
“But we have experienced soldiers in the team, so we’ll take each game at a time and hopefully we’ll come out tops.
“We just have to prove what we can do, then we’ll be home free,” he said.
Ntombaythethi, who was in the team that promoted Chippa United to the PSL, also hopes that his past experiences with playoff tournaments will have a positive impact on his teammates.
“I become very excited when I think about the playoffs, because the last time I played in such a tournament we won and promoted Chippa United.
“So I hope I will be able to encourage the entire team with my experiences, because this could be big for the entire area.
“But right now what’s important is to win every game until it’s decided who the champions are this season. Otherwise everyone in the team is prepared to work extra hard at training sessions, and that’s a plus for us.”
He said playing Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup last 32 stage also revived their fighting spirit and has brought them more fans in and around East London.
“Now in Mdantsane and the country at large know the name Tornado. So I’m just happy we managed that game, because it was a good platform for every one of us to show what we can do.”
We just have to prove what we can do, then we’ll be home free