Still licking their wounds from a surprise 3-2 defeat at the hands of bottom-of-the-log Blackburn Rovers, ABC Motsepe League 2015-16 third-placed Tornado welcome second-placed FC Elliot at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium today.
Tornado coach Thobela Bikwani was adamant they will come out tops although they saw red against Rovers with three of their players given their marching orders during the match.
The missing trio may be Tornado’s weakness today that will be there for Elliot to exploit.
But Bikwani disagreed, arguing that there was “depth” in the Mdantsane-based club that is competing for the championship.
Bikwani draws his confidence from the fact Tornado are yet to lose a game in their own backyard.
However, there is a first time for everything and anything is possible in the beautiful game, just as no one had predicted their loss to Rovers.
After all, Elliot have been a force to be reckoned with this season, even after they lost their former coach Mondli Funani towards the end of last year, and may pose a threat to the Mdantsane side.
“We are going all out in full force to collect three points and we are confident we can achieve that,” said Bikwani.
“Not that I am bragging but we have not lost a game at home this season and I certainly do not see us losing one anytime soon.
“Yes I know people will say ‘but yeah you lost against relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers’, but us losing the match was our own making due to silly mistakes and ill-discipline by my own players.”
According to Bikwani, his charges must deliver today “at all costs” if they keep to the script of their aggressively attacking style of play.
Tornado will, however, have it hard banging in goals against Elliot, who have the second best defensive record thus far this season.
Elliot are proving to have an organised defence, having conceded just 12 goals in 15 matches, which is less than a goal per game on average.
The hosts’ defensive record is not so rosy after they leaked 17 times in 16 outings, a cause for concern.
Offensively though, the home side are far superior than their opponents, having netted 39 goals, 12 more than their foes.
Elsewhere in the Motsepe League this weekend Zimbane Killers, who are in position four on the log, host fifth-placed FC Buffalo at the New Rest Stadium in Lusikisiki.
Zimbane, who appear to be running out of gas in their tank having topped the logstanding for some time, will be out for three points while Buffalo desperately need maxim points to be officially counted among title contenders.
This afternoon in Ginberg Future Tigers, eighth on the table, play hosts to Young Ideas, while Highbury lock horns with Emperors in Port Elizabeth at the same time.
Tomorrow afternoon in Butterworth Matta Milan welcome Morning Stars at the Ibika Campus of WSU as log leaders Lion City take on Mthatha City in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth.
Embattled Tornado vow to blow hot
Tornado coach Thobela Bikwani was adamant they will come out tops although they saw red against Rovers with three of their players given their marching orders during the match.
The missing trio may be Tornado’s weakness today that will be there for Elliot to exploit.
But Bikwani disagreed, arguing that there was “depth” in the Mdantsane-based club that is competing for the championship.
Bikwani draws his confidence from the fact Tornado are yet to lose a game in their own backyard.
However, there is a first time for everything and anything is possible in the beautiful game, just as no one had predicted their loss to Rovers.
After all, Elliot have been a force to be reckoned with this season, even after they lost their former coach Mondli Funani towards the end of last year, and may pose a threat to the Mdantsane side.
“We are going all out in full force to collect three points and we are confident we can achieve that,” said Bikwani.
“Not that I am bragging but we have not lost a game at home this season and I certainly do not see us losing one anytime soon.
“Yes I know people will say ‘but yeah you lost against relegation-threatened Blackburn Rovers’, but us losing the match was our own making due to silly mistakes and ill-discipline by my own players.”
According to Bikwani, his charges must deliver today “at all costs” if they keep to the script of their aggressively attacking style of play.
Tornado will, however, have it hard banging in goals against Elliot, who have the second best defensive record thus far this season.
Elliot are proving to have an organised defence, having conceded just 12 goals in 15 matches, which is less than a goal per game on average.
The hosts’ defensive record is not so rosy after they leaked 17 times in 16 outings, a cause for concern.
Offensively though, the home side are far superior than their opponents, having netted 39 goals, 12 more than their foes.
Elsewhere in the Motsepe League this weekend Zimbane Killers, who are in position four on the log, host fifth-placed FC Buffalo at the New Rest Stadium in Lusikisiki.
Zimbane, who appear to be running out of gas in their tank having topped the logstanding for some time, will be out for three points while Buffalo desperately need maxim points to be officially counted among title contenders.
This afternoon in Ginberg Future Tigers, eighth on the table, play hosts to Young Ideas, while Highbury lock horns with Emperors in Port Elizabeth at the same time.
Tomorrow afternoon in Butterworth Matta Milan welcome Morning Stars at the Ibika Campus of WSU as log leaders Lion City take on Mthatha City in Motherwell, Port Elizabeth.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos