Mthatha Bucks coach Duncan Lechesa says if he can solidify his defence they might stand a chance of breaking their chain of losses this National First Division season.
Bucks lost their ninth match this season when they lost 2-1 to Stellenbosch at Parow Park over the weekend, and Lechesa said things didn’t go as planned.
“The game didn’t go the way we wanted in the first half,” Lechesa said.
“We came back in the second half but then again we conceded. I just think we were not strong enough and sometimes things don’t go your way.”
Mpho Erasmus scored Bucks’ only goal, but it wasn’t enough to avoid remaining at the bottom of the log standings with 15 points.
“It’s not that the boys were scared of the opponents even though they have beaten them this season. I just don’t know the reason for this performance.”
Lechesa said their defence mechanisms were experiencing a failure when it came to containing potential threats.
“We can’t beat around the bush. Our biggest problem is playing defensively, but then again defence is not only the defender’s jobs but the whole team’s.
“But the boys are fighting in every game they play, but then again we didn’t get the desired result.”
Bucks last week released another influential player, Shane Thompson, who was on a one year contract.
Thompson has since joined Black Leopards on a two and a half year deal, and he hopes to turn his fortunes around by getting more game time at Lidoda Duvha.
“The team has not been doing well and they weren’t playing me, so I had to make the best move for my career and go for a better opportunity.
“The Bucks management came to me and told me that they would be happy to release me early from my contract, so I took the chance.
“The Leopards management staff and the chairman are happy to have me here, and hopefully I’ll get more game time.”
The former Jomo Cosmos defender said it was a painful experience leaving Bucks in the position they were sitting on in the log standings, but the decision was not his to begin with.
“When management and coach won’t let you contribute there’s nothing much you can do, so I decided to go try my luck somewhere else.
“The team spirit here is really high and training sessions are more intense, and the players have really welcomed me, and that’s always a great experience.”
Thompson continued: “I think they are getting rid of all the players that came in under Ian Palmer . Maybe the management wants to bring in their own players or coach Duncan wants to bring in a new team,” Thompson said.
Black Leopards 1 Cape Town All Stars 2, Mbombela United 0 University of Pretoria 0, Real Kings 3 Super Eagles 1, Uthongathi 1 Jomo Cosmos 0, Witbank Spurs 0 Tshakhuma 2
Bucks’s defence is the key
Bucks lost their ninth match this season when they lost 2-1 to Stellenbosch at Parow Park over the weekend, and Lechesa said things didn’t go as planned.
“The game didn’t go the way we wanted in the first half,” Lechesa said.
“We came back in the second half but then again we conceded. I just think we were not strong enough and sometimes things don’t go your way.”
Mpho Erasmus scored Bucks’ only goal, but it wasn’t enough to avoid remaining at the bottom of the log standings with 15 points.
“It’s not that the boys were scared of the opponents even though they have beaten them this season. I just don’t know the reason for this performance.”
Lechesa said their defence mechanisms were experiencing a failure when it came to containing potential threats.
“We can’t beat around the bush. Our biggest problem is playing defensively, but then again defence is not only the defender’s jobs but the whole team’s.
“But the boys are fighting in every game they play, but then again we didn’t get the desired result.”
Bucks last week released another influential player, Shane Thompson, who was on a one year contract.
Thompson has since joined Black Leopards on a two and a half year deal, and he hopes to turn his fortunes around by getting more game time at Lidoda Duvha.
“The team has not been doing well and they weren’t playing me, so I had to make the best move for my career and go for a better opportunity.
“The Bucks management came to me and told me that they would be happy to release me early from my contract, so I took the chance.
“The Leopards management staff and the chairman are happy to have me here, and hopefully I’ll get more game time.”
The former Jomo Cosmos defender said it was a painful experience leaving Bucks in the position they were sitting on in the log standings, but the decision was not his to begin with.
“When management and coach won’t let you contribute there’s nothing much you can do, so I decided to go try my luck somewhere else.
“The team spirit here is really high and training sessions are more intense, and the players have really welcomed me, and that’s always a great experience.”
Thompson continued: “I think they are getting rid of all the players that came in under Ian Palmer . Maybe the management wants to bring in their own players or coach Duncan wants to bring in a new team,” Thompson said.
Black Leopards 1 Cape Town All Stars 2, Mbombela United 0 University of Pretoria 0, Real Kings 3 Super Eagles 1, Uthongathi 1 Jomo Cosmos 0, Witbank Spurs 0 Tshakhuma 2
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