Mthatha Bucks coach Duncan Lechesa said they have been preparing to topple National First Division high- flyers since he took to the driving seat at the Amathol’amnyama.
Bucks today take on the University of Pretoria (Tuks) at the Mthatha Stadium and Lechesa said they were more than ready to fight and earn the much-needed three points.
Bucks had a morale-boosting run during their Nedbank Cup encounter against AmaZulu where defender Mashale Rantabane outshone everyone by scoring two goals, only to eventually lose 3-0 on a penalty shootout.
Lechesa said that game was a reflection of the type of football he wanted his team to play throughout the season.
“The preparations have been going quite well, with the boys’ spirits up because of their performance in the Nedbank Cup. We are going for a positive result.
“That game was preparation for games like this one against AmaTuks and we'd like to take what we did there into this game and make sure we affirm our presence in the league.”
Bucks have been hit by only one injury, with Loyiso Simandla sidelined for the match.
On a positive note they have seen the return of some their influential players like Kangwa Chileshe, who has been out of action for more than four months now.
“Loyiso is still out but everyone is back in the squad. Thabiso is also back from suspension, so we can't complain.
“Also Steve Arnold Anoma is back from injury so the team is almost complete.”
Lechesa said being able to fight the way they did in the Nedbank Cup tournament was gratifying.
“Seeing the boys perform like that felt good and it gave a sense of hope that we are still going to improve our position on the log standings.
“Even though we didn’t get the desired results, at least we got what we wanted to see and do with the team. Now we’re in a better position to improve our place on the log as we have moved off the bottom of the log standings.
“We are now looking to take the second step of our plan which is to move to higher on the log.
“We are taking things step by step because the two following games are very important to us.’’
Lechesa said his mission was to move from 15th spot on the log standings by collecting maximum points during their game against AmaTuks – and he knew exactly how to do just that.
“They will come at us from the onset, hoping to catch us on the counter attack.
“They will also try to go wide and play crosses. We need to stop those crosses and I can tell you right now the boys are up for the challenge,” he said.
Kick-off is at 3pm and gates open at 12.30pm.
Bucks will take the fight to Tuks
Bucks today take on the University of Pretoria (Tuks) at the Mthatha Stadium and Lechesa said they were more than ready to fight and earn the much-needed three points.
Bucks had a morale-boosting run during their Nedbank Cup encounter against AmaZulu where defender Mashale Rantabane outshone everyone by scoring two goals, only to eventually lose 3-0 on a penalty shootout.
Lechesa said that game was a reflection of the type of football he wanted his team to play throughout the season.
“The preparations have been going quite well, with the boys’ spirits up because of their performance in the Nedbank Cup. We are going for a positive result.
“That game was preparation for games like this one against AmaTuks and we'd like to take what we did there into this game and make sure we affirm our presence in the league.”
Bucks have been hit by only one injury, with Loyiso Simandla sidelined for the match.
On a positive note they have seen the return of some their influential players like Kangwa Chileshe, who has been out of action for more than four months now.
“Loyiso is still out but everyone is back in the squad. Thabiso is also back from suspension, so we can't complain.
“Also Steve Arnold Anoma is back from injury so the team is almost complete.”
Lechesa said being able to fight the way they did in the Nedbank Cup tournament was gratifying.
“Seeing the boys perform like that felt good and it gave a sense of hope that we are still going to improve our position on the log standings.
“Even though we didn’t get the desired results, at least we got what we wanted to see and do with the team. Now we’re in a better position to improve our place on the log as we have moved off the bottom of the log standings.
“We are now looking to take the second step of our plan which is to move to higher on the log.
“We are taking things step by step because the two following games are very important to us.’’
Lechesa said his mission was to move from 15th spot on the log standings by collecting maximum points during their game against AmaTuks – and he knew exactly how to do just that.
“They will come at us from the onset, hoping to catch us on the counter attack.
“They will also try to go wide and play crosses. We need to stop those crosses and I can tell you right now the boys are up for the challenge,” he said.
Kick-off is at 3pm and gates open at 12.30pm.
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