Tigers too close to deadly quicksand
After failing to secure a win in more than 10 games, Future Tigers will have a chance to bounce back to winning ways in the ABC Motsepe League when they host Yaka United at Rosedale Stadium in Uitenhage on Friday.
The former Ginsberg outfit, which moved to Nelson Mandela Bay when the 2018-19 third-tier league season commenced, has been having a difficult time adjusting being a new club with new management and inexperienced players.
Tigers have already lost 10 matches in the league, drew six, and have only won two games and with only 12 fixtures to go, they will need to make sure they come up with a contingency plan to see them exiting the relegation zone before they run out of time.
Even the freshmen in the third-tier league have managed to bully Tigers. Amavarara from Komani, who were promoted from SAB League this season, managed to salvage a 2-1 win against Tigers. Birmingham City from East London, who were promoted alongside Amavarara, also managed to beat Tigers 3-1.
But the Uitenhage-based outfit surprised many when they drew 1-1 against high-flying Sibanye at Adcock Stadium in Port Elizabeth last week.
Sibanye are currently one of the strongest contenders in the league, occupying fourth place with 35 points on the log-standings, while Tigers are sitting at 14th place on the table with 12 points.
In another third-tier league encounter on Friday, Swartkops Valley United Brothers and Highbury will have a chance to prove who’s the better team when they meet at NU2 Stadium in Motherwell near Port Elizabeth.
Both teams are currently sitting on 22 points on the standings. Highbury has a better goal difference than the Brothers, with the former sitting at position nine on the table.
Brothers are occupying 10th position, which is not bad because last season they were struggling to collect points. This game is expected to be a cracking one as both teams desperately need to solidify their positions in the top 10 teams.
Saturday fixtures:
Tigers are having a hard time adjusting in the Motsepe league being a new club
Amavarara v Bush Bucks Academy (North End Stadium, EL), Peace Makers v Butterworth (Wolfsons Stadium, PE), Birmingham City v Sibanye (North End Stadium), Bizana Pondo Chiefs v Matta Milan (Mqeshwa Sports Field), Mthatha Bucks v The Guys (Mthatha Stadium), Tornado v PE Stars (Sisa Duakshe Stadium).