Much like the proverbial phoenix rising from the ashes, Mthatha Bucks recorded their first league win of the season in the National First Division when they beat 14th-placed Moroka Swallows 1-0 in an entertaining game at the Mthatha Stadium yesterday.
A solitary headed goal from central defender Mashale Ranthabane about 20 minutes into the game was enough to give coach Vela Dyaloyi's side maximum points.
But the local lads could have scored a glut of goals were it not for some wayward shooting and a lack of composure which led to many promising moves breaking down especially in the second half.
Bucks's win sees them move to seven points after 13 games.
However, the Eastern Cape side is still perched at the bottom of the league table.
Yesterday's game started at a frantic pace with both sides trying to assert themselves.
Despite boasting the likes of former Kaizer Chiefs fan favourites in Josta Dladla and captain Siyabonga Nomvethe, the much-travelled Dikgang Mabalane and former Orlando Pirates striker Rudolf Bester, it was Amathol'amnyama who created the best chances of the game.
With both teams applying a cautious approach in the first 15 minutes, it was Swallows who fired the first shot towards goal but it sailed harmlessly over the bar. Five minutes later, the whole stadium went into a frenzy and the fans screamed in delight after Ranthabane headed the only goal of the game from a corner kick.
The goal seemed to spark the visitors into action as they upped the ante a bit but could not penetrate a resolute Bucks rearguard marshalled by Ranthabane and rightback and team captain Ayanda Klass.
The home side could have gone 2-0 up with 35 minutes on the clock when a Swallows defender was adjudged to have fouled a Bucks player inside the box. But the penalty was comfortably saved by the opposing goalkeeper, much to the dismay of the spectators.
With Swallows playing against the wind in the second half, it was Bucks who started to show more initiative.
But the game turned on its head and into the home side's favour when a Swallows player received his marching orders for a foul on the energetic Sihle Maso who was proving a thorn in the defence of the visitors.
With more than 25 minutes into the second half, striker Themba Maloyi thought he had finally found that elusive second goal when his curling effort managed to beat the goalkeeper but not the crossbar.
Minutes later striker Moses Spandeel shot tamely at the Swallows goalkeeper.
Mabalane started to make his experience count towards the dying minutes of the game as he sent in dangerous crosses time and again but the Bucks defence stood resolute.
A relieved Dyaloyi said there was still a lot of work that needed to be done especially to help fine-tune his attack. “In the past the team did not have any luck and was conceding and not scoring.Now they created a lot of chances that they were not able to put away.We have to work on making sure they are able to stick them away,” he said.
He said the team was desperate to get another three points in their next league fixture against Santos away from home. But he also conceded that some players, especially those under 23 years as required by the league's regulations, were not up to the required standard. Hence the team needed strengthening in some departments including upfront.
"We will look at recruiting players and strengthen the team during the upcoming transfer window period,” he said.
Klaas pinpointed the friendly game against PSL side Chippa United earlier this month which they won by a solitary goal as a turning point in the team's fortunes.
"We knew that despite their experience, they were there for the taking.We won against Chippa and then our Nedbank Cup clash , so we came into this game with a winning momentum on our side,” he said.
Local fans like Xolisa Sikhathele praised the local side for playing out of their skins. He felt the introduction of the vastly-experienced Spandeel had been right at the start of the game, had won the side the game.
"All the season, he has been playing 20 minutes here and there.
“Today he started and his calm head paid dividends,” he added.
Sweet victory for Bucks
A solitary headed goal from central defender Mashale Ranthabane about 20 minutes into the game was enough to give coach Vela Dyaloyi's side maximum points.
But the local lads could have scored a glut of goals were it not for some wayward shooting and a lack of composure which led to many promising moves breaking down especially in the second half.
Bucks's win sees them move to seven points after 13 games.
However, the Eastern Cape side is still perched at the bottom of the league table.
Yesterday's game started at a frantic pace with both sides trying to assert themselves.
Despite boasting the likes of former Kaizer Chiefs fan favourites in Josta Dladla and captain Siyabonga Nomvethe, the much-travelled Dikgang Mabalane and former Orlando Pirates striker Rudolf Bester, it was Amathol'amnyama who created the best chances of the game.
With both teams applying a cautious approach in the first 15 minutes, it was Swallows who fired the first shot towards goal but it sailed harmlessly over the bar. Five minutes later, the whole stadium went into a frenzy and the fans screamed in delight after Ranthabane headed the only goal of the game from a corner kick.
The goal seemed to spark the visitors into action as they upped the ante a bit but could not penetrate a resolute Bucks rearguard marshalled by Ranthabane and rightback and team captain Ayanda Klass.
The home side could have gone 2-0 up with 35 minutes on the clock when a Swallows defender was adjudged to have fouled a Bucks player inside the box. But the penalty was comfortably saved by the opposing goalkeeper, much to the dismay of the spectators.
With Swallows playing against the wind in the second half, it was Bucks who started to show more initiative.
But the game turned on its head and into the home side's favour when a Swallows player received his marching orders for a foul on the energetic Sihle Maso who was proving a thorn in the defence of the visitors.
With more than 25 minutes into the second half, striker Themba Maloyi thought he had finally found that elusive second goal when his curling effort managed to beat the goalkeeper but not the crossbar.
Minutes later striker Moses Spandeel shot tamely at the Swallows goalkeeper.
Mabalane started to make his experience count towards the dying minutes of the game as he sent in dangerous crosses time and again but the Bucks defence stood resolute.
A relieved Dyaloyi said there was still a lot of work that needed to be done especially to help fine-tune his attack. “In the past the team did not have any luck and was conceding and not scoring.Now they created a lot of chances that they were not able to put away.We have to work on making sure they are able to stick them away,” he said.
He said the team was desperate to get another three points in their next league fixture against Santos away from home. But he also conceded that some players, especially those under 23 years as required by the league's regulations, were not up to the required standard. Hence the team needed strengthening in some departments including upfront.
"We will look at recruiting players and strengthen the team during the upcoming transfer window period,” he said.
Klaas pinpointed the friendly game against PSL side Chippa United earlier this month which they won by a solitary goal as a turning point in the team's fortunes.
"We knew that despite their experience, they were there for the taking.We won against Chippa and then our Nedbank Cup clash , so we came into this game with a winning momentum on our side,” he said.
Local fans like Xolisa Sikhathele praised the local side for playing out of their skins. He felt the introduction of the vastly-experienced Spandeel had been right at the start of the game, had won the side the game.
"All the season, he has been playing 20 minutes here and there.
“Today he started and his calm head paid dividends,” he added.
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