WHEN you are in a foreign place and the chips are down, you are bound to miss home.
ABC Motsepe League side Future Tigers know this too well.
Tigers, the Motsepe League rookies abandoned their home – Ginberg Field in King William’s Town for Jan Smuts Stadium in East London when they were promoted.
But they have since made a U-turn for their next match today against third-placed Zimbane Killers.
The club’s change of heart comes after they suffered four losses in succession having started the season on a high with three wins and a draw.
They are currently languishing on position nine with 10 points, eight adrift of their opponents who have a game in hand.
Tigers coach Xolisa Zenzile admitted that they were hoping that their fortunes will change this time around as they will be playing at a field they know better than any.
About the club’s recent slump, Zenzile believes there are several factors to blame and not just the home venue choice.
According to him, their poor run of late has everything to do with the club being newcomers who are still trying to find their footing.
“You win some and you lose some, that is football for you,” said Zenzile. “We are babies at this level and therefore still in the building phases.
“Ours is to build towards next season when we will be competing.”
But you started well, what happened?
The club is not converting enough chances in front of goals, he said, after scoring only nine goals to the 13 they have conceded.
Their weakness in defence is also a worrying factor. As such, Zenzile stated that a defensive strategy and approach for the encounter against Zimbane was on the cards.
“We are conceding way too many goals and four losses in a row is not nice, we will be in a defensive mode against Zimbane Killers to avoid the losing streak going to five matches.”
A reason for Zenzile’s unhappiness with his charges is their failure to keep shape, especially when they do not have ball possession.
Upfront, the dip in form by prolific striker Unathi “Nomvethe” Mancoba is not helping them at all.
The club’s over-reliance on him last season is beginning to show and it now appears they may have to reinforce in this regard or face a drought of goals.
But at the centre of the park, Stanley McIntyre needs a partner who will complement his play, someone he currently does not have as his is often a one-man show.
Elsewhere in the Motsepe League this weekend, Mdantsane-based Tornado are away to SUBS in Port Elizabeth. Tornado, top of the standings, will be hoping to continue with their fine form.
Mthatha City FC will welcome fifth-placed FC Buffalo at the Rotary Stadium in Mthatha.
FC Elliot, second on the log with 19 points from eight outings travel to Butterworth with stubborn Matta Milan who are on position six, just five points adrift of their opponents.
EC Bees FC have an easy one against troubled Blackburn Rovers in Bisho Stadium
Rovers have been flirting with relegation from day one at the log basement and have only managed one win and a draw from eight matches.
Higbury, 13th on the table, will face-off with second-from-bottom Morning Stars in their own relegation battle while Lion City collide with Kokstad Liverpool in Motherwell as Young Ideas are engaged in a PE derby with Emperors FC.
Tigers anxious to claw away from worrying position
ABC Motsepe League side Future Tigers know this too well.
Tigers, the Motsepe League rookies abandoned their home – Ginberg Field in King William’s Town for Jan Smuts Stadium in East London when they were promoted.
But they have since made a U-turn for their next match today against third-placed Zimbane Killers.
The club’s change of heart comes after they suffered four losses in succession having started the season on a high with three wins and a draw.
They are currently languishing on position nine with 10 points, eight adrift of their opponents who have a game in hand.
Tigers coach Xolisa Zenzile admitted that they were hoping that their fortunes will change this time around as they will be playing at a field they know better than any.
About the club’s recent slump, Zenzile believes there are several factors to blame and not just the home venue choice.
According to him, their poor run of late has everything to do with the club being newcomers who are still trying to find their footing.
“You win some and you lose some, that is football for you,” said Zenzile. “We are babies at this level and therefore still in the building phases.
“Ours is to build towards next season when we will be competing.”
But you started well, what happened?
The club is not converting enough chances in front of goals, he said, after scoring only nine goals to the 13 they have conceded.
Their weakness in defence is also a worrying factor. As such, Zenzile stated that a defensive strategy and approach for the encounter against Zimbane was on the cards.
“We are conceding way too many goals and four losses in a row is not nice, we will be in a defensive mode against Zimbane Killers to avoid the losing streak going to five matches.”
A reason for Zenzile’s unhappiness with his charges is their failure to keep shape, especially when they do not have ball possession.
Upfront, the dip in form by prolific striker Unathi “Nomvethe” Mancoba is not helping them at all.
The club’s over-reliance on him last season is beginning to show and it now appears they may have to reinforce in this regard or face a drought of goals.
But at the centre of the park, Stanley McIntyre needs a partner who will complement his play, someone he currently does not have as his is often a one-man show.
Elsewhere in the Motsepe League this weekend, Mdantsane-based Tornado are away to SUBS in Port Elizabeth. Tornado, top of the standings, will be hoping to continue with their fine form.
Mthatha City FC will welcome fifth-placed FC Buffalo at the Rotary Stadium in Mthatha.
FC Elliot, second on the log with 19 points from eight outings travel to Butterworth with stubborn Matta Milan who are on position six, just five points adrift of their opponents.
EC Bees FC have an easy one against troubled Blackburn Rovers in Bisho Stadium
Rovers have been flirting with relegation from day one at the log basement and have only managed one win and a draw from eight matches.
Higbury, 13th on the table, will face-off with second-from-bottom Morning Stars in their own relegation battle while Lion City collide with Kokstad Liverpool in Motherwell as Young Ideas are engaged in a PE derby with Emperors FC.
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