Small mistakes cost the EC Bees one of their easiest games to earn a spot in the Nedbank Cup quarterfinal when they lost 2-1 against Mamelodi Sundowns.
That was Bees coach Chippa Njedu’s reaction to their exciting game against the PSL log-leaders at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Bees veteran Bongani Joseph Chikila scored in just 15 minutes when he capitalised on a defence blunder committed by Downs’ left-back Siyabonga Zulu. Bees kept the lead throughout the first half.
Njedu felt that his young side could measure up to the Chloorkop outfit with Downs’ coach Manqoba Mngqithi’s selection of star players such as their recent signing from SuperSport United Jeremy Brockie, and 2016 Fifa Puskas award nominee, captain Hlompho Kekana.
Regardless of the result, Njedu was still proud of his boys for the fearless fight they put up against the Brazilians in their own backyard.
“We lost an easy game, but then we paid dearly for the mistakes we committed, because we contained them during the first half, keeping the score at 1-0.
“For a moment we were leading and I thought anything could happen.
“And in the second half we noticed that we could cope with the opponents, but we just needed to press on like we did in the first half,” said Njedu.
The “Crazy Gang” mentor said having held on against the former African champions throughout the entire first half without conceding a goal was a stamp that certified his boys as top-class players with a bright future ahead of them.
“The ground was wet and I knew if they get a goal in the second half, my boys’ spirits will drop and they would start to panic.
“But luckily we managed to get back into the game and we clicked again.
“But then again, if you checked in the second half we allowed them to do what they wanted in our turf, and that was the biggest mistake we made during the game.”
Njedu made a tactical change in the second half where he replaced the experienced former Mthatha Bucks player Bafana Dlamini with skilful Simphiwe “Shaka” Dlamini.
“I replaced Bafana with ‘Shaka’ because we needed someone to help us play more, because that’s when we are dangerous – when we play the ball.”
Defender Lonwabo Mhlakaza made a deadly defence partnership with goalkeeper Khanya Mini, who earned himself the man-of-the-match blazer.
“ Mini’s performance was notable and we are very proud of what he achieved during that game. He kept out some of the big names at Downs.”
Njedu emphasised the contributions of top goalscorer and ex-Chippa United striker Siphe-Sihle Mtule, who has scored 12 goals in the league so far.
Bees will now shift their focus to the league as they will on Saturday play third-tier log leaders Tornado at the North End Stadium in East London.
No honeypot as Brazilians clip error-prone Bees’ wings in tie
That was Bees coach Chippa Njedu’s reaction to their exciting game against the PSL log-leaders at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria.
Bees veteran Bongani Joseph Chikila scored in just 15 minutes when he capitalised on a defence blunder committed by Downs’ left-back Siyabonga Zulu. Bees kept the lead throughout the first half.
Njedu felt that his young side could measure up to the Chloorkop outfit with Downs’ coach Manqoba Mngqithi’s selection of star players such as their recent signing from SuperSport United Jeremy Brockie, and 2016 Fifa Puskas award nominee, captain Hlompho Kekana.
Regardless of the result, Njedu was still proud of his boys for the fearless fight they put up against the Brazilians in their own backyard.
“We lost an easy game, but then we paid dearly for the mistakes we committed, because we contained them during the first half, keeping the score at 1-0.
“For a moment we were leading and I thought anything could happen.
“And in the second half we noticed that we could cope with the opponents, but we just needed to press on like we did in the first half,” said Njedu.
The “Crazy Gang” mentor said having held on against the former African champions throughout the entire first half without conceding a goal was a stamp that certified his boys as top-class players with a bright future ahead of them.
“The ground was wet and I knew if they get a goal in the second half, my boys’ spirits will drop and they would start to panic.
“But luckily we managed to get back into the game and we clicked again.
“But then again, if you checked in the second half we allowed them to do what they wanted in our turf, and that was the biggest mistake we made during the game.”
Njedu made a tactical change in the second half where he replaced the experienced former Mthatha Bucks player Bafana Dlamini with skilful Simphiwe “Shaka” Dlamini.
“I replaced Bafana with ‘Shaka’ because we needed someone to help us play more, because that’s when we are dangerous – when we play the ball.”
Defender Lonwabo Mhlakaza made a deadly defence partnership with goalkeeper Khanya Mini, who earned himself the man-of-the-match blazer.
“ Mini’s performance was notable and we are very proud of what he achieved during that game. He kept out some of the big names at Downs.”
Njedu emphasised the contributions of top goalscorer and ex-Chippa United striker Siphe-Sihle Mtule, who has scored 12 goals in the league so far.
Bees will now shift their focus to the league as they will on Saturday play third-tier log leaders Tornado at the North End Stadium in East London.
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