Mthatha Bucks defender Mashale Rantabane says the side lost one of the easiest games they’ve played so far in this National First Division season.
Rantabane yesterday told the Daily Dispatch their 1-0 defeat by Ubuntu Cape Town was not the true reflection of their play at Athlone Stadium over the weekend.
Bucks failed to earn the much- needed three points as a result they dropped down to the bottom of the log-standings with only 20 points compared to Ubuntu’s 24. Ubuntu jumped three places up the table and now occupy 12th spot.
Rantabane admitted they had issues which needed urgent attention from the players as that is what cost them dearly and he was disappointed by the undesired result as they were in need of points.
“To be honest, we should have won that game by four or five goals, because Ubuntu only got into our half once and that was during the first half and they scored their winning goal.
“That was the only time they managed to penetrate our half, but we had so many clearcut chances to score but we could’ve finished any of them and that’s a problem we are going to deal with,” said Rantabane.
He said they still had a chance to bounce back and improve their position on the table but only if they get it right in the opposition’s half.
“During that game we were lacking composure and aggression, especially in the final third and if our decision-making was spot on – I think we could have scored many goals.
“And I think we are just shaky because when things don’t go well in the team, as a player you start to panic and committing silly mistakes that can cost you the game.
“Instead when you have a chance to pass to a better placed player – you shoot on your own or when you in a clear possession to score you pass to another player instead of taking a chance.”
The experienced central defender said Bucks were still in the clear when it comes to surviving relegation in the NFD even though the situation they’re currently in looks bleak.
“In the three games we going to play we can still collect the much-needed points because the four teams above us are only ahead of us with three or four points.
“So as soon we win two or three games in a row we’ll be in a very safe place on the log-standings and I can assure the fans that we will survive this difficult time.
“It’s hard for me as a senior player to see the team suffering like this, but we still know that we can do this.
“And I have to stand up and give the guys hope and remind them as well that we are capable of doing great things.
“And people should not stress because Bucks will stay in the NFD even though the pressure continues to mount but we can handle it as part of the job.”
Bucks told to get with the programme or pay price
Rantabane yesterday told the Daily Dispatch their 1-0 defeat by Ubuntu Cape Town was not the true reflection of their play at Athlone Stadium over the weekend.
Bucks failed to earn the much- needed three points as a result they dropped down to the bottom of the log-standings with only 20 points compared to Ubuntu’s 24. Ubuntu jumped three places up the table and now occupy 12th spot.
Rantabane admitted they had issues which needed urgent attention from the players as that is what cost them dearly and he was disappointed by the undesired result as they were in need of points.
“To be honest, we should have won that game by four or five goals, because Ubuntu only got into our half once and that was during the first half and they scored their winning goal.
“That was the only time they managed to penetrate our half, but we had so many clearcut chances to score but we could’ve finished any of them and that’s a problem we are going to deal with,” said Rantabane.
He said they still had a chance to bounce back and improve their position on the table but only if they get it right in the opposition’s half.
“During that game we were lacking composure and aggression, especially in the final third and if our decision-making was spot on – I think we could have scored many goals.
“And I think we are just shaky because when things don’t go well in the team, as a player you start to panic and committing silly mistakes that can cost you the game.
“Instead when you have a chance to pass to a better placed player – you shoot on your own or when you in a clear possession to score you pass to another player instead of taking a chance.”
The experienced central defender said Bucks were still in the clear when it comes to surviving relegation in the NFD even though the situation they’re currently in looks bleak.
“In the three games we going to play we can still collect the much-needed points because the four teams above us are only ahead of us with three or four points.
“So as soon we win two or three games in a row we’ll be in a very safe place on the log-standings and I can assure the fans that we will survive this difficult time.
“It’s hard for me as a senior player to see the team suffering like this, but we still know that we can do this.
“And I have to stand up and give the guys hope and remind them as well that we are capable of doing great things.
“And people should not stress because Bucks will stay in the NFD even though the pressure continues to mount but we can handle it as part of the job.”
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos