Still licking their wounds from a disappointing opening day draw, Tornado FC will be keen to bounce back against Matatiele Professionals this evening.
The Mdantsane-based side, who are the defending champions of the provincial league, last weekend played to a three-all stalemate away to league newcomers Callies.
Tornado were lucky to escape from what could have been a shocking defeat as they trailed 3-0 at halftime, only to come back later in the game to score three goals in six minutes, by so doing managing to grab a point.
But this remains the start the defending champs were not expecting and they have a chance to turn things around tonight at Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
In Matatiele Professionals they meet a determined side who held stubborn Lion City to a goalless draw in their league opener.
But Tornado have not lost at home in more than a year, a stat which no doubt gives them confidence.
Tornado mentor Thobela “King” Bikwani, who reiterated before the season started that they will defend their title, said it was too early to rule his team out of the title race.
According to him, their draw in the previous match was due to several factors, not least of all the fact that his team had plenty of new players and that he was still trying out different combinations.
But he admitted that letting in three goals was unacceptable, adding that they would bounce back – most probably tonight.
“Yes we stumbled last weekend but such can always be expected during the first league game, especially to clubs with a host of new players like us,” said Bikwani.
“But we are ready for Matatiele and we are playing at home.”
Bikwani says five league matches was all he was asking for before his team can be judged.
The match starts at 6pm tonight at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
Elsewhere in the Motsepe League tonight, newly-promoted Callies visit Swartkops Valley United Brothers (Subs) in a Nelson Mandela Bay metro derby in Motherwell township.
Subs, currently top of the logstandings, go to this match with their tails high following their 4-1 drubbing of Mdantsane Mighty Bucks last week.
Callies, on the other side, will be hoping to grab their first maximum points in the second division.
Tomorrow at Sisa Dukashe, Mighty Bucks will be out to redeem themselves when they host Young Ideas at 3pm.
This will be Ideas’ first match for the season after their scheduled match with FC Buffalo was postponed last week.
Also tomorrow, second-placed Future Tigers welcome Highbury at Jan Smuts Stadium.
Tigers are in fine form after they grabbed three points on the road last week in the form of their 2-0 victory over Morning Stars.
Buffalo, who also did not play last week, will be on the road to Idutywa to lock horns with Matta.
In Port Elizabeth, Lion City will take on Walter Sisulu University.
The students, rookies in the league, started on a high in their season opener when they emerged 1-0 victors over City Lads.
Lads will seek redemption as they host EC Bees at Mount Alyliff Stadium, as Morning Stars travel to Mthatha for a meeting with Mthatha City which completes this weekend’s round of matches. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
No more turbulence for Tornado
The Mdantsane-based side, who are the defending champions of the provincial league, last weekend played to a three-all stalemate away to league newcomers Callies.
Tornado were lucky to escape from what could have been a shocking defeat as they trailed 3-0 at halftime, only to come back later in the game to score three goals in six minutes, by so doing managing to grab a point.
But this remains the start the defending champs were not expecting and they have a chance to turn things around tonight at Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
In Matatiele Professionals they meet a determined side who held stubborn Lion City to a goalless draw in their league opener.
But Tornado have not lost at home in more than a year, a stat which no doubt gives them confidence.
Tornado mentor Thobela “King” Bikwani, who reiterated before the season started that they will defend their title, said it was too early to rule his team out of the title race.
According to him, their draw in the previous match was due to several factors, not least of all the fact that his team had plenty of new players and that he was still trying out different combinations.
But he admitted that letting in three goals was unacceptable, adding that they would bounce back – most probably tonight.
“Yes we stumbled last weekend but such can always be expected during the first league game, especially to clubs with a host of new players like us,” said Bikwani.
“But we are ready for Matatiele and we are playing at home.”
Bikwani says five league matches was all he was asking for before his team can be judged.
The match starts at 6pm tonight at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in Mdantsane.
Elsewhere in the Motsepe League tonight, newly-promoted Callies visit Swartkops Valley United Brothers (Subs) in a Nelson Mandela Bay metro derby in Motherwell township.
Subs, currently top of the logstandings, go to this match with their tails high following their 4-1 drubbing of Mdantsane Mighty Bucks last week.
Callies, on the other side, will be hoping to grab their first maximum points in the second division.
Tomorrow at Sisa Dukashe, Mighty Bucks will be out to redeem themselves when they host Young Ideas at 3pm.
This will be Ideas’ first match for the season after their scheduled match with FC Buffalo was postponed last week.
Also tomorrow, second-placed Future Tigers welcome Highbury at Jan Smuts Stadium.
Tigers are in fine form after they grabbed three points on the road last week in the form of their 2-0 victory over Morning Stars.
Buffalo, who also did not play last week, will be on the road to Idutywa to lock horns with Matta.
In Port Elizabeth, Lion City will take on Walter Sisulu University.
The students, rookies in the league, started on a high in their season opener when they emerged 1-0 victors over City Lads.
Lads will seek redemption as they host EC Bees at Mount Alyliff Stadium, as Morning Stars travel to Mthatha for a meeting with Mthatha City which completes this weekend’s round of matches. — zingisam@dispatch.co.za
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