The ABC Motsepe playoffs got off to a disappointing start as Acornbush United and Super Eagles played to a goalless draw at Buffalo City Stadium in East London on Monday.
The game started with the Mpumalanga champions on the offensive but failed to punish Eagles.
Acornbush forward Mlungisi Nkosi could have put his side in front in the seventh minute but instead of using his right foot to tap the ball into the back of the net, he went for an awkward header which went wide of goalkeeper Tshepo Ramele's goal.
Bonginkosi Dhladhla was then denied by the Eagles shotstopper as they piled on the pressure.
The second half was no different as Acornbush pushed forward with the Free State champions happy to sit back and play on the counter.
Both teams failed to dominate and played in patches. They could not even string a couple of passes together as both sides played sloppy football.
Eagles almost stole the win deep in the second half when Thabo Setsumi hit the woodwork with Acornbush goalkeeper Mduduzi Sibeko well-beaten.
The two coaches Tshegofatso Mashego of Eagles and MacDonald Makhubedu saw the game differently.
Makhubedu admitted they had made things difficult for themselves by not winning their first game.
He said their downfall was winning the game before getting on the field.
"Teams will come and park buses when they play us. Even tomorrow we must expect it but we need to step up," he said.
Mashego was happy with the draw, saying at the break he had told his players to protect the one point.
"We are a dark horse but now at least everybody knows what we can offer. It's going to get tougher," he said.
Acornbush and Super Eagles share the spoils in playoffs
The game started with the Mpumalanga champions on the offensive but failed to punish Eagles.
Acornbush forward Mlungisi Nkosi could have put his side in front in the seventh minute but instead of using his right foot to tap the ball into the back of the net, he went for an awkward header which went wide of goalkeeper Tshepo Ramele's goal.
Bonginkosi Dhladhla was then denied by the Eagles shotstopper as they piled on the pressure.
The second half was no different as Acornbush pushed forward with the Free State champions happy to sit back and play on the counter.
Both teams failed to dominate and played in patches. They could not even string a couple of passes together as both sides played sloppy football.
Eagles almost stole the win deep in the second half when Thabo Setsumi hit the woodwork with Acornbush goalkeeper Mduduzi Sibeko well-beaten.
The two coaches Tshegofatso Mashego of Eagles and MacDonald Makhubedu saw the game differently.
Makhubedu admitted they had made things difficult for themselves by not winning their first game.
He said their downfall was winning the game before getting on the field.
"Teams will come and park buses when they play us. Even tomorrow we must expect it but we need to step up," he said.
Mashego was happy with the draw, saying at the break he had told his players to protect the one point.
"We are a dark horse but now at least everybody knows what we can offer. It's going to get tougher," he said.
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