In a desperate move to save a sinking Titanic, Tornado have recalled half their starting lineup from last season.
And whether the five still have their mojo will be clear tomorrow when Tornado take part in the Nedbank Cup qualifiers for the Motsepe League semis in Komani.
Midfielders General Nkobongwane and Thobile Mkhize and defenders Jeff Mdluli and Mark Canga, who all formed the core of the dominant Tornado of last season, have been roped back into the club after missing the start of the 2016-17 season.
Tornado have so far suffered two defeats in just five outings, with two wins and a draw – a far cry from a club known for accumulating that number of blemishes in a complete season of 30 matches.
Thobela Bikwani, the head coach for the Mdantsane-based side, admitted that his squad have been performing below their known standard.
This, he said, is what prompted him to bring back the four to join left-back Nhlakanipho Myeza and hopefully resuscitate the Tornado of Bikwani’s maiden season at the helm, which was known for aggressive attacks that showed no mercy.
From the very start this season Tornado have been struggling to find their feet, and as such are currently lying ninth in the league logstandings.
The true test of what the beefed-up Tornado side can offer will be tomorrow when they take on Lion City in the Nedbank Cup.
If they win, they will meet the winner between EC Bees and Matatiele Pros in the final.
Bikwani, who is confident that his side will remain the last man standing, said: “People will see a different Tornado to the one they have been seeing since the start of this season.
“I have brought back five of my soldiers from last season – which is not to say the new ones are not capable, but just that they do not understand the league yet, nor the pressure that comes with playing in this league,” he added.
“Now with half of the core of the team from last season back, I am confident things will turn around because I felt the ship was sinking.
“At least they know what I want and understand this league.”
So confident is Bikwani that change is coming that he is unfazed by the possibility of meeting with their hoodoo opponent, Bees, in the Nedbank qualifiers final.
Tornado have never won against Bees in a competitive match, and were recently defeated 1-0 in a league meeting three weeks ago.
“In my coaching career, I have never lost twice to the same club in the same season,” said Bikwani, adding that indeed Bees had the upperhand over them if previous results were anything to go by.
Tornado will lock horns with City at 10am tomorrow, just before Bees collides with Pros at 11.30am.
The winners of each match meet in the final at 3.30pm the same day.
The winner thereof will await a winner in the SABC qualifiers in a match that will decide the Eastern Cape representative in the lucrative Nedbank Cup last 32.
Meanwhile, Mthatha Bucks host NFD log-leaders Thanda Royal Zulu at the Mthatha Stadium tomorrow.
The Mthatha outfit will be hoping to continue with their solid form following their two-all draw away from home to Kings United on Wednesday, having won 2-1 at the expense of Mbombela United last weekend.
Tornado to deliver City heavy blow
And whether the five still have their mojo will be clear tomorrow when Tornado take part in the Nedbank Cup qualifiers for the Motsepe League semis in Komani.
Midfielders General Nkobongwane and Thobile Mkhize and defenders Jeff Mdluli and Mark Canga, who all formed the core of the dominant Tornado of last season, have been roped back into the club after missing the start of the 2016-17 season.
Tornado have so far suffered two defeats in just five outings, with two wins and a draw – a far cry from a club known for accumulating that number of blemishes in a complete season of 30 matches.
Thobela Bikwani, the head coach for the Mdantsane-based side, admitted that his squad have been performing below their known standard.
This, he said, is what prompted him to bring back the four to join left-back Nhlakanipho Myeza and hopefully resuscitate the Tornado of Bikwani’s maiden season at the helm, which was known for aggressive attacks that showed no mercy.
From the very start this season Tornado have been struggling to find their feet, and as such are currently lying ninth in the league logstandings.
The true test of what the beefed-up Tornado side can offer will be tomorrow when they take on Lion City in the Nedbank Cup.
If they win, they will meet the winner between EC Bees and Matatiele Pros in the final.
Bikwani, who is confident that his side will remain the last man standing, said: “People will see a different Tornado to the one they have been seeing since the start of this season.
“I have brought back five of my soldiers from last season – which is not to say the new ones are not capable, but just that they do not understand the league yet, nor the pressure that comes with playing in this league,” he added.
“Now with half of the core of the team from last season back, I am confident things will turn around because I felt the ship was sinking.
“At least they know what I want and understand this league.”
So confident is Bikwani that change is coming that he is unfazed by the possibility of meeting with their hoodoo opponent, Bees, in the Nedbank qualifiers final.
Tornado have never won against Bees in a competitive match, and were recently defeated 1-0 in a league meeting three weeks ago.
“In my coaching career, I have never lost twice to the same club in the same season,” said Bikwani, adding that indeed Bees had the upperhand over them if previous results were anything to go by.
Tornado will lock horns with City at 10am tomorrow, just before Bees collides with Pros at 11.30am.
The winners of each match meet in the final at 3.30pm the same day.
The winner thereof will await a winner in the SABC qualifiers in a match that will decide the Eastern Cape representative in the lucrative Nedbank Cup last 32.
Meanwhile, Mthatha Bucks host NFD log-leaders Thanda Royal Zulu at the Mthatha Stadium tomorrow.
The Mthatha outfit will be hoping to continue with their solid form following their two-all draw away from home to Kings United on Wednesday, having won 2-1 at the expense of Mbombela United last weekend.
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