Mthatha Bucks skipper Thabiso Mokoena is banking on a last-gasp survival the club achieved three seasons ago to again play out starting with a crucial clash against Jomo Cosmos at the Mthatha Stadium on Saturday.
Bucks will be engaged in very much a do-or-die encounter that will cost them their National First Division (NFD) status if they lose.
Nothing short of a victory for the province’s lone representatives in the NFD will suffice. Failing is not an option or they will be doomed.
Even a win will not be enough as they will need other results involving other teams to be in their favour.
Teams above Bucks are Uthongathi and Richards Bay at 28 points while Bucks are on 21 with only three games left.
Bucks will therefore hope that Uthongathi and Richard’s Bay drop points for them to stand a chance of survival.
Mokoena does not see the game Bucks lost 3-0 against Highlands Park at Makhulong Stadium over the weekend as responsible for the dire situation they find themselves in.
He argues that Highlands Park only won the game because they played under minimum pressure having already qualified to the PSL.
“They had momentum because they have already won the league and even for us it was motivation to play against the champions,” he said.
Mokoena attributes the loss to the silly mistakes his teammates committed in the game.
“We just committed silly mistakes that cost that game, and the opponent capitalised on those mistakes we made but we fought until the last whistle,” he said.
“Because we wanted to prove ourselves that we are not a team that’s just fighting relegation, I can say we matched them pound for pound.”
Mokoena alluded to the fact that they failed to maintain a clear mind during games, hence they lost out on three points that could have helped them climb the log.
“It’s just the lack of concentration somewhere somehow – nothing too serious. Being in this position feels bad.
“But we are trying our best to do better and we told ourselves we are going to fight back until the last straw.
“And I also believe that with the squad that we have we are capable of pulling off a miracle, hence I’m saying we are going to keep fighting until the last game of the season.
“Because it’s not like we’re a bad team – it might be that luck is not on our side. People can see that we are still playing good football.”
Mokoena said at the present moment he was experiencing déjà vu as Bucks are in the same quagmire as they were in their maiden NFD season.
“It was our first season in this league where we managed to survive relegation with only two games to go.
“So I still believe that we can also do it this time around because people have already written us off – they are saying we going back to ABC Motsepe League.
“But half of the players in the team were here in the first season, so they have plenty of experience in terms of fighting relegation.
“They know what to do and how to handle the pressure that comes with it.”
He said having their former coach Julius “JD” Dube back at the helm was a cherry on top as he knew the team inside out.
“JD has worked with us before, so he knows our quality as individual players and I have confidence in him. He can surprise many people by taking us out of relegation.
“Because he knows the culture of the team and half of the players that are here and the players are responding well to his strategies and methods so anything can happen.”
The experienced defensive midfielder said they were facing a side (Jomo Cosmos) that was gunning for playoffs, but sent a stern warning to Jomo Sono’s men.
“They’re desperate for points as much as we need them, but obviously they know that it’s not easy to collect maximum points here.
“I’m expecting a tough game from them. They are going to come at us and any side making use of their chances will be the winners of the day. So we’ll play like it’s a cup final, especially since we are playing at home,” said Mokoena.
Bucks aim for Great Escape
Bucks will be engaged in very much a do-or-die encounter that will cost them their National First Division (NFD) status if they lose.
Nothing short of a victory for the province’s lone representatives in the NFD will suffice. Failing is not an option or they will be doomed.
Even a win will not be enough as they will need other results involving other teams to be in their favour.
Teams above Bucks are Uthongathi and Richards Bay at 28 points while Bucks are on 21 with only three games left.
Bucks will therefore hope that Uthongathi and Richard’s Bay drop points for them to stand a chance of survival.
Mokoena does not see the game Bucks lost 3-0 against Highlands Park at Makhulong Stadium over the weekend as responsible for the dire situation they find themselves in.
He argues that Highlands Park only won the game because they played under minimum pressure having already qualified to the PSL.
“They had momentum because they have already won the league and even for us it was motivation to play against the champions,” he said.
Mokoena attributes the loss to the silly mistakes his teammates committed in the game.
“We just committed silly mistakes that cost that game, and the opponent capitalised on those mistakes we made but we fought until the last whistle,” he said.
“Because we wanted to prove ourselves that we are not a team that’s just fighting relegation, I can say we matched them pound for pound.”
Mokoena alluded to the fact that they failed to maintain a clear mind during games, hence they lost out on three points that could have helped them climb the log.
“It’s just the lack of concentration somewhere somehow – nothing too serious. Being in this position feels bad.
“But we are trying our best to do better and we told ourselves we are going to fight back until the last straw.
“And I also believe that with the squad that we have we are capable of pulling off a miracle, hence I’m saying we are going to keep fighting until the last game of the season.
“Because it’s not like we’re a bad team – it might be that luck is not on our side. People can see that we are still playing good football.”
Mokoena said at the present moment he was experiencing déjà vu as Bucks are in the same quagmire as they were in their maiden NFD season.
“It was our first season in this league where we managed to survive relegation with only two games to go.
“So I still believe that we can also do it this time around because people have already written us off – they are saying we going back to ABC Motsepe League.
“But half of the players in the team were here in the first season, so they have plenty of experience in terms of fighting relegation.
“They know what to do and how to handle the pressure that comes with it.”
He said having their former coach Julius “JD” Dube back at the helm was a cherry on top as he knew the team inside out.
“JD has worked with us before, so he knows our quality as individual players and I have confidence in him. He can surprise many people by taking us out of relegation.
“Because he knows the culture of the team and half of the players that are here and the players are responding well to his strategies and methods so anything can happen.”
The experienced defensive midfielder said they were facing a side (Jomo Cosmos) that was gunning for playoffs, but sent a stern warning to Jomo Sono’s men.
“They’re desperate for points as much as we need them, but obviously they know that it’s not easy to collect maximum points here.
“I’m expecting a tough game from them. They are going to come at us and any side making use of their chances will be the winners of the day. So we’ll play like it’s a cup final, especially since we are playing at home,” said Mokoena.
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