Tough task awaits Bees in playoffs
EASTERN Cape Bees coach Chippa Njedu is hoping they can emulate what Mthatha Bucks achieved when they lost their first match of the ABC Motsepe playoffs and still gained promotion to the National First Division in the 2014-15 season.
The “Crazy Gang” were beaten 1-0 in their first ABC Motsepe Group B playoff by KwaZulu-Natal champions Uthongathi at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane yesterday.
The loss puts pressure on the Bhisho outfit as they have to win their two remaining games and hope the other results go their way if they are to play NFD football next season.
“I told the boys we lost the first game but the tournament is not over – this is football and anything can happen,” Njedu said. “Let’s go out there and fight and win the games.
“Tomorrow is a must-win for us. In fact, we have to win the two remaining games no matter what.
“We still have hope of being promoted because we still have two games.
“When Mthatha Bucks gained promotion they lost their first game and won two games, so you never know.
“What’s important now is to win the two remaining games and the rest will take care of itself.”
Making matters worse for Bees is the fact that Western Cape champions Zizwe United thumped Mainstay United of the Northern Cape 5-0 in the other Group B match.
If Bees are to gain promotion to the NFD they will have to win their two remaining games by big margins.
They will have a chance to do exactly that when they play against Mainstay, who, if yesterday’s performance is anything to go by, will be the whipping boys of the group.
Then they will close the round robin fixtures with a game against Zizwe tomorrow at 3pm at Sisa Dukashe.
Njedu said they had done their homework on both Mainstay United and Zizwe United.
“We have seen them play so we know what to expect from them,” he said.
The “Crazy Gang” dominatIHAIA ed the Tongaat-based “Cane Cutters” but failed to convert the chances they created.
Uthongathi converted the very first chances that they created and sat back, absorbed the pressure and played on the counter.
Asked what had gone wrong in yesterday’s encounter, Njedu said: “It’s painful, especially playing at home and losing the first game.
“I think the approach to the game was not spot on because in the first 10 minutes we gave them a soft goal because of a lack of communication at the back with the goalkeeper.
“I think that’s where we lost the game.”
Today’s fixtures, all at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium, are: EC Bees v Mainstay United (9am); Uthongathi v Zizwe United (11am); Acornbush United v Buya Msuthu (1pm); and The Dolphins v Super Eagles (3pm).
We have to win the two remaining games no matter what