After a week’s break, Mthatha Bucks will be aiming to keep climbing the National First Division log when they welcome Real Kings FC at the Mthatha Stadium on Saturday.
The team has been boosted by the return of leading goalscorer Mazwi “Jomo” Mncube, striker Petrus Ngebo and skilful winger Sihle Mbhele from minor injuries they suffered in their 1-1 draw away to log-leaders Thanda Royal Zulu.
Amathol’amnyama are targeting at least 23 points from their remaining games, which they hope will be enough to earn them a playoff spot at the end of the season.
And if Bucks are to finish at least with 52 points, they will have to be more consistent and win their home games.
Mncube, who has scored 11 goals in 20 games, believes they are up to the task.
“We are ready. This is a must-win game and the guys are very confident. This is our home game so we have to start making life easier for ourselves by winning at home.
“It is very important to win our home games so that we will not have too much pressure when we play away, even though there are games we are targeting three points away,” he said before training yesterday.
Last week, Bucks coach Ian Palmer told the Daily Dispatch that when they played in KwaZulu-Natal, they got a chance to watch Kings and analyse their game.
The coach said the 10th-placed Kings play according to their strengths which would work to their advantage.
The only Eastern Cape side in the NFD is seventh on the log with 29 points after 20 games. In the opening round game last year, Bucks dropped two points as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Kings at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on October 26.
In their last game, Bucks’ poor defence against crosses was exposed while the strikers failed to create most of the chances that they created.
During the week’s break, Palmer worked on these two aspects as he hopes to have a near flawless performance as the league nears its end.
Mncube said they are itching to get on the field.
“We worked on our mistakes from the previous game so the break definitely helped us a lot. By the weekend, I am sure we will have corrected everything.
“Against Thanda we created a lot of chances but failed to convert most of them. At least if we create five chances on Saturday, we must convert three,” he said.
The ever-reliable 27-year-old has attributed his outstanding performance thus far to playing in the same position.
Last season, Thanda coach Roger Sikhakhane played him as a left-back, attacking midfielder or as a winger.
When he joined Bucks last year, he slotted in at the traditional number 10 – where he has excelled as he is always in goalscoring positions.
“It is difficult to master your game when you are always switched from position to position. This season has been different as I have been playing at number 10, which I am enjoying.
“The position that I play in now allows me to be in goalscoring positions,” he said, calling on Amathol’amnyama faithful to once again fill the stadium to capacity.
Bucks must get Real on home front
The team has been boosted by the return of leading goalscorer Mazwi “Jomo” Mncube, striker Petrus Ngebo and skilful winger Sihle Mbhele from minor injuries they suffered in their 1-1 draw away to log-leaders Thanda Royal Zulu.
Amathol’amnyama are targeting at least 23 points from their remaining games, which they hope will be enough to earn them a playoff spot at the end of the season.
And if Bucks are to finish at least with 52 points, they will have to be more consistent and win their home games.
Mncube, who has scored 11 goals in 20 games, believes they are up to the task.
“We are ready. This is a must-win game and the guys are very confident. This is our home game so we have to start making life easier for ourselves by winning at home.
“It is very important to win our home games so that we will not have too much pressure when we play away, even though there are games we are targeting three points away,” he said before training yesterday.
Last week, Bucks coach Ian Palmer told the Daily Dispatch that when they played in KwaZulu-Natal, they got a chance to watch Kings and analyse their game.
The coach said the 10th-placed Kings play according to their strengths which would work to their advantage.
The only Eastern Cape side in the NFD is seventh on the log with 29 points after 20 games. In the opening round game last year, Bucks dropped two points as they were held to a 2-2 draw by Kings at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium on October 26.
In their last game, Bucks’ poor defence against crosses was exposed while the strikers failed to create most of the chances that they created.
During the week’s break, Palmer worked on these two aspects as he hopes to have a near flawless performance as the league nears its end.
Mncube said they are itching to get on the field.
“We worked on our mistakes from the previous game so the break definitely helped us a lot. By the weekend, I am sure we will have corrected everything.
“Against Thanda we created a lot of chances but failed to convert most of them. At least if we create five chances on Saturday, we must convert three,” he said.
The ever-reliable 27-year-old has attributed his outstanding performance thus far to playing in the same position.
Last season, Thanda coach Roger Sikhakhane played him as a left-back, attacking midfielder or as a winger.
When he joined Bucks last year, he slotted in at the traditional number 10 – where he has excelled as he is always in goalscoring positions.
“It is difficult to master your game when you are always switched from position to position. This season has been different as I have been playing at number 10, which I am enjoying.
“The position that I play in now allows me to be in goalscoring positions,” he said, calling on Amathol’amnyama faithful to once again fill the stadium to capacity.
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