Mthatha Bucks are banking on their new recruits to bring them glory this afternoon when they take on Santos in their first match of 2016 in an NFD clash at Athlone Stadium.
Bucks have signed two U23 players, central midfielder Simphiwe Mqandi from Cape Town All Stars and winger Sibusiso Hlubi from the Mamelodi Sundowns development side known as M Tigers.
Club COO Lunga Tukute confirmed that the two would start and that the club was hopeful they had made the right signings, as their contribution will be crucial to getting the club out of the doldrums.
The duo will provide a much- needed boost in the Mthatha outfit’s attack as they hope to continue where they left off with a 1-0 win at the expense of Moroka Swallows in December.
Also among the new signings is striker Andile Njokweni, who has been roped in from Lion City FC.
Bucks will be going all-out this afternoon because a win will be good enough to lift them one place up from the log basement to 15th place, currently occupied by FC Cape Town.
The NFD rookies are on seven points from 13 matches while FC Cape Town are a match ahead with two points more.
As far as Santos is concerned, the morale is low after they were thumped 3-1 by Highlands Park in their previous game and Bucks will draw confidence from this.
Tukute said they were out for nothing less than a win. “This match is very important. A win takes us out of the bottom place for the first time since the start of the season.
“The spirit is high in the team, especially given that the team a few places above us have not been doing well and we are well aware that a win today and the match after it have the possibility of taking us to 14th place before the end of January.”
Having been back at a camp that took place in Maritzburg immediately after Christmas, Bucks should also have a fitness advantage over their opponents which should bolster their chances of bagging the much-needed three points.
Bucks’ next date is to welcome African Warriors at the Mthatha Stadium on Sunday afternoon, another must-win match as the season gets tougher.
Bucks look to rookies in crucial Santos clash
Bucks have signed two U23 players, central midfielder Simphiwe Mqandi from Cape Town All Stars and winger Sibusiso Hlubi from the Mamelodi Sundowns development side known as M Tigers.
Club COO Lunga Tukute confirmed that the two would start and that the club was hopeful they had made the right signings, as their contribution will be crucial to getting the club out of the doldrums.
The duo will provide a much- needed boost in the Mthatha outfit’s attack as they hope to continue where they left off with a 1-0 win at the expense of Moroka Swallows in December.
Also among the new signings is striker Andile Njokweni, who has been roped in from Lion City FC.
Bucks will be going all-out this afternoon because a win will be good enough to lift them one place up from the log basement to 15th place, currently occupied by FC Cape Town.
The NFD rookies are on seven points from 13 matches while FC Cape Town are a match ahead with two points more.
As far as Santos is concerned, the morale is low after they were thumped 3-1 by Highlands Park in their previous game and Bucks will draw confidence from this.
Tukute said they were out for nothing less than a win. “This match is very important. A win takes us out of the bottom place for the first time since the start of the season.
“The spirit is high in the team, especially given that the team a few places above us have not been doing well and we are well aware that a win today and the match after it have the possibility of taking us to 14th place before the end of January.”
Having been back at a camp that took place in Maritzburg immediately after Christmas, Bucks should also have a fitness advantage over their opponents which should bolster their chances of bagging the much-needed three points.
Bucks’ next date is to welcome African Warriors at the Mthatha Stadium on Sunday afternoon, another must-win match as the season gets tougher.
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