Bees set to sting Uthongathi in Motsepe league

EASTERN Cape Bees are expected to come out guns blazing when they open their ABC Motsepe playoffs campaign against KwaZulu-Natal’s Uthongathi at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane this morning (kick off 9am).

This will be the first game of Group B as on Monday and yesterday only Group A games were played.

Whether the NU2 pitch will be in a good condition remains to be seen as the stadium hosted three rugby games on Sunday during the SuperSport Rugby Challenge.

But the “Crazy Gang” will be eager to start the playoffs on a positive note as a loss might make it difficult to claim one of the two National First Division spots up for grabs.

At stake is not just a spot in the NFD but R1-million and bragging rights.

Luckily for Bees, they have a full squad complement to choose from.

Being the hosting province will put added pressure on the Bhisho outfit. But team manager Zama Nene said yesterday the team was raring to go.

“There’s a lot of adrenaline in the camp right now. The boys are ready [and] there is a lot of excitement. “Now they really need to calm down,” she said. “They just need to focus now.” Bees will have to produce the best all-round showing if they are to be the second Eastern Cape outfit playing NFD soccer next season.

“It’s imperative we start on a great kick, meaning we need to win our first game,” Nene said.

“We wouldn’t want the momentum of the team to drop because of the first game. So the first game is very important and we need to capitalise on all the points.

“We just need to hit the home run tomorrow [today]. There’s no other way.”

One man who will have extra pressure on him is Bees’ leading goal-scorer Bongani Chikila as he will be expected to continue with his impressive goalscoring form.

Bees are aware that the “Cane Cutters” – as the Tongaat-based Uthongathi are affectionately known – will not be easy opponents.

Whichever team wins today might be a step closer to gaining promotion to the NFD. But that will also depend on the result between Zizwe United, of the Western Cape, and Northern Cape top club Mainstay United in the second Group B encounter.

Nene said they had been assured the pitch would be in good condition today.

Today’s fixtures:

EC Bees v Uthongathi (9am) Zizwe United v Mainstay United (11am); Maccabi v Super Eagles (1pm); The Dolphins v Acornbush United (3pm).