Metro start off on right footing ahead of Games

Buffalo City Metro soccer coach Buyisile “Pino” Ngqambiyana says winning the ABC Motsepe League pre-season tournament was a step in the right direction as they were preparing for the Southern African Inter-Municipal Sports Association (Saimsa) games in September.

BCM, which used to compete in the Industrial League and against other municipalities, won three of their games against Motsepe League and SAB League teams during the tournament that was played over the weekend at Bunkers Hill. “Winning such a tournament against amateur teams who take this sport seriously is a validation that we are ready for anything that comes our way.

“And we are very happy because of the hard work we have put in, and this gives us more strength because we are now preparing for the Saimsa games that will be held in Swaziland in next month,” said Ngqambiyana.

The football mentor said the way his charges performed at the tournament, organised by Lwanda Soldati, he was certain they would be equal to the task at this year’s annual Saimsa games. BCM beat Future Tigers 6-5 in penalty shootouts, and met the winners of the 2017-18 ABC Motsepe League, Tornado, and also beat them 2-0 in the semifinal, on their way to play a 2-all draw in the final against Relatives from Butterworth.

BCM went on to win 5-4 on penalties. “We are confident that we are going to do well at the Saimsa games, because playing three games in one day against youngsters was really something good for us,” said Ngqambiyana, who is also a referee under the Safa panel.

“That tells us that we are in a better position than we were at this time last year, because we had the toughest games in that tournament and we won them.”

Ngqambiyana said the experience in his older squad came to their rescue as they were confronted with speed from young guns playing in the third-tier league.

“We have older players like Lungelo Yekiso who was playing for Jomo Cosmos in the National First Division.

“We also had striker Jimmy Kauleza who is a former Orlando Pirates and Free State Stars player. We are fortunate that those ex-professionals are working at the BCM and they are playing for us and their experience on the pitch was evident on the day.

“They are going to play a huge role in our Saimsa campaign in September.”

Ngqambiyana said the side will play a friendly match against Tornado before they embark on their trip to Swaziland for Saimsa.

We are confident that we are going to do well at the Saimsa games