Experienced Mthatha Bucks striker Petrus Ngebo came off the bench to help his side earn a hard-fought three points against National First Division strugglers Magesi FC 3-2 at the Mthatha Stadium on Saturday.
Amathol’amnyama went into the game desperate for the crucial three points as they are targeting a top-three finish and qualify for the play-offs.
It took just 15 minutes for on-form Zambian striker Chilesha Kangwa to break the deadlock for Bucks’ first of the day when he met Mazwi “Jomo” Mncube’s low cross.
The hosts could have doubled their lead after Mncube and Bafana Dlamini combined beautifully but Dlamini forced a good save from Magesi keeper Katlego Maja from close range.
But the lead only lasted for five minutes when Khomotso Masia headed past Bucks goalkeeper Ntando Nkala.
However, the ever reliable Bucks leading goal scorer, Mncube restored the lead with a 22nd minute tap-in for his 10th of the season after Aphiwe Lubisi headed across goal from a corner kick.
The fast-paced game saw Magesi and Bucks attacking one another as the Polokwane outfit searched for an equaliser while coach Ian Palmer’s men wanted to extend their lead.
Palmer’s concerns about his defence were displayed when Magesi again equalised with a header from Sicelo Moses in the 30th minute.
For the remaining 15 minutes in the opening half, Bucks were frustrated by a resilient Magesi defence that stood firm, ensuring that the score was 2-2 going to the break.
In the second half, Palmer introduced another experienced striker in Sydney “Eto’o” Masana when he took off Sihle Mbhele.
However, for some reason Bucks played badly and lost possession cheaply with their long balls in search of the strikers.
Magesi appeared to be content with sitting back and trying to catch Bucks on the counter as they looked to gain at least one point from the game.
Palmer proved to be a tactical genius when he substituted the impressive Dlamini for Ngebo. Bucks piled on the pressure as they searched for the all important goal but Magesi managed to keep them at bay.
With five minutes remaining of regulation time, the former Chippa United, SuperSport United, Free State Stars and Bloemfontein Celtic striker, Ngebo met a sublime Sibusiso Hlubi cross to head past Maja and sent the stadium into a frenzy.
For the remaining minutes, Bucks shut the back door as they had almost every man behind the ball.
Commenting after the game, Palmer said his team had had an average performance.
“I knew Magesi was never going to be easy. I think they did well by coming here and closing us down. They never gave us any room to play.
“It was a hard-fought victory. Sometimes you gotta play ugly and get the three points,” he said.
“Regardless of how we played, I will take the three points. Look, I think we dropped deservedly three points against Eagles because there we played so much better and we lost. So I’d rather play ugly and get the three points.”
Magesi coach Shepherd Murape sang his charges’ praises.
“We had them until we made one blunder there. The third goal was a mistake – the goalkeeper should have collected that.
“I’m happy with the performance because coming here is not easy as you can see we managed to come back twice.
“We could have maybe snatched a point but I’m happy with my boys. They’re all from ABC Motsepe League so this level is a bit too hard for them but they’re improving with every game,” the disappointed Murape said.
The three points took Bucks to position six with 28 games after 19 games before yesterday’s games.
Bucks get ugly to beat Magesi
Amathol’amnyama went into the game desperate for the crucial three points as they are targeting a top-three finish and qualify for the play-offs.
It took just 15 minutes for on-form Zambian striker Chilesha Kangwa to break the deadlock for Bucks’ first of the day when he met Mazwi “Jomo” Mncube’s low cross.
The hosts could have doubled their lead after Mncube and Bafana Dlamini combined beautifully but Dlamini forced a good save from Magesi keeper Katlego Maja from close range.
But the lead only lasted for five minutes when Khomotso Masia headed past Bucks goalkeeper Ntando Nkala.
However, the ever reliable Bucks leading goal scorer, Mncube restored the lead with a 22nd minute tap-in for his 10th of the season after Aphiwe Lubisi headed across goal from a corner kick.
The fast-paced game saw Magesi and Bucks attacking one another as the Polokwane outfit searched for an equaliser while coach Ian Palmer’s men wanted to extend their lead.
Palmer’s concerns about his defence were displayed when Magesi again equalised with a header from Sicelo Moses in the 30th minute.
For the remaining 15 minutes in the opening half, Bucks were frustrated by a resilient Magesi defence that stood firm, ensuring that the score was 2-2 going to the break.
In the second half, Palmer introduced another experienced striker in Sydney “Eto’o” Masana when he took off Sihle Mbhele.
However, for some reason Bucks played badly and lost possession cheaply with their long balls in search of the strikers.
Magesi appeared to be content with sitting back and trying to catch Bucks on the counter as they looked to gain at least one point from the game.
Palmer proved to be a tactical genius when he substituted the impressive Dlamini for Ngebo. Bucks piled on the pressure as they searched for the all important goal but Magesi managed to keep them at bay.
With five minutes remaining of regulation time, the former Chippa United, SuperSport United, Free State Stars and Bloemfontein Celtic striker, Ngebo met a sublime Sibusiso Hlubi cross to head past Maja and sent the stadium into a frenzy.
For the remaining minutes, Bucks shut the back door as they had almost every man behind the ball.
Commenting after the game, Palmer said his team had had an average performance.
“I knew Magesi was never going to be easy. I think they did well by coming here and closing us down. They never gave us any room to play.
“It was a hard-fought victory. Sometimes you gotta play ugly and get the three points,” he said.
“Regardless of how we played, I will take the three points. Look, I think we dropped deservedly three points against Eagles because there we played so much better and we lost. So I’d rather play ugly and get the three points.”
Magesi coach Shepherd Murape sang his charges’ praises.
“We had them until we made one blunder there. The third goal was a mistake – the goalkeeper should have collected that.
“I’m happy with the performance because coming here is not easy as you can see we managed to come back twice.
“We could have maybe snatched a point but I’m happy with my boys. They’re all from ABC Motsepe League so this level is a bit too hard for them but they’re improving with every game,” the disappointed Murape said.
The three points took Bucks to position six with 28 games after 19 games before yesterday’s games.
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