EC BEES have managed to retain their unbeaten record against log leaders Tornado following their 2-1 win against the Mdantsane outfit at the Bhisho Stadium over the weekend.
The “Crazy Gang”, who finished on top in the ABC Motsepe League last season, upset Tornado for a second time this season, marking their fourth win against Tshepo Motsoeneng’s charges since last season.
Bees coach Chippa Njedu said the three points earned on the day were important as it meant they were gradually getting closer to the summit of the log standings.
“Now the gap between us and number one is three points and we still have a game in hand,” Njedu said.
“So if we win our next game we we’ll close that gap and as we are getting closer to the summit – our boys are getting more motivated because they see they can do it.”
Njedu said he never thought he would be competing this season after he was dealt a blow when many prolific players such as Siyabonga “Raiza” Booi left for greener pastures.
“I didn’t imagine we would be where we are today even though there was that bit of hope, because to win this league you have to have players who have experienced this league before,” he said.
“But the young boy Mncedi playing left wing did well and he is only 19 years old and we threw him in the deep end on his first game but he proved himself.”
Motsoeneng said the opposition was better organised, although his charges could have fought harder for a win. Nevertheless, there was no harm done as they still have 22 games to play in the league.
“If you looked at their mixture of players, they had short and tall players, so that tells you they could go long and they could also put it down and try to play on the floor,” he said.
“Now you need to adjust, adapt and impose immediately as a coach on those tactics.
“We need to have height where there’s height and then you go toe-to-toe.”
Motsoeneng said they had survived before the interval because the result could have been worse.
“When we came back, we introduced striker Nkanyiso Gumede to play wide and take more shots.
“He’s played for Free State Stars so he should have been able to exert more pressure on them.”
The encounter with an old foe also allowed them to identify some of their own weaknesses.
Motsoeneng also emphasised that his players needed to learn not to force the referee to officiate.
“U23 have to understand that they are there for a development purpose, but they still need to work hard, ” he said.
The former professional goalkeeper was gracious in defeat and congratulated Bees for a well executed game plan.
“The one corner we scored but was denied for instance, the keeper saw he had too much traffic in front of him, so what do you do? You fall down and you call the referee.
“The official has to protect the keeper – so he will give the call and that was smart of the boy,” said Motsoeneng.
Other results: Spears FC 2 – 1 Bizana Pondo, Lion City 1 – 2 Matta Milan, Highbury 1 – 2 Sibanye FC, Future Tigers 1 – 1 Mthatha City, City Lads 5 – 1 Try Again, PE Stars 0 – 0 Butterworth FC.
Crazy Gang upset Tornado yet again
The “Crazy Gang”, who finished on top in the ABC Motsepe League last season, upset Tornado for a second time this season, marking their fourth win against Tshepo Motsoeneng’s charges since last season.
Bees coach Chippa Njedu said the three points earned on the day were important as it meant they were gradually getting closer to the summit of the log standings.
“Now the gap between us and number one is three points and we still have a game in hand,” Njedu said.
“So if we win our next game we we’ll close that gap and as we are getting closer to the summit – our boys are getting more motivated because they see they can do it.”
Njedu said he never thought he would be competing this season after he was dealt a blow when many prolific players such as Siyabonga “Raiza” Booi left for greener pastures.
“I didn’t imagine we would be where we are today even though there was that bit of hope, because to win this league you have to have players who have experienced this league before,” he said.
“But the young boy Mncedi playing left wing did well and he is only 19 years old and we threw him in the deep end on his first game but he proved himself.”
Motsoeneng said the opposition was better organised, although his charges could have fought harder for a win. Nevertheless, there was no harm done as they still have 22 games to play in the league.
“If you looked at their mixture of players, they had short and tall players, so that tells you they could go long and they could also put it down and try to play on the floor,” he said.
“Now you need to adjust, adapt and impose immediately as a coach on those tactics.
“We need to have height where there’s height and then you go toe-to-toe.”
Motsoeneng said they had survived before the interval because the result could have been worse.
“When we came back, we introduced striker Nkanyiso Gumede to play wide and take more shots.
“He’s played for Free State Stars so he should have been able to exert more pressure on them.”
The encounter with an old foe also allowed them to identify some of their own weaknesses.
Motsoeneng also emphasised that his players needed to learn not to force the referee to officiate.
“U23 have to understand that they are there for a development purpose, but they still need to work hard, ” he said.
The former professional goalkeeper was gracious in defeat and congratulated Bees for a well executed game plan.
“The one corner we scored but was denied for instance, the keeper saw he had too much traffic in front of him, so what do you do? You fall down and you call the referee.
“The official has to protect the keeper – so he will give the call and that was smart of the boy,” said Motsoeneng.
Other results: Spears FC 2 – 1 Bizana Pondo, Lion City 1 – 2 Matta Milan, Highbury 1 – 2 Sibanye FC, Future Tigers 1 – 1 Mthatha City, City Lads 5 – 1 Try Again, PE Stars 0 – 0 Butterworth FC.
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