Mthatha Bucks midfielder Siya “Wonder Kid” Dubula says they didn’t show up during their 2-1 loss against Uthongathi at Mthatha Stadium over the weekend.
With six matches left, Dubula said they were not as ruthless as they could have been while playing an inconsistent side in the National First Division, especially at home.
Striker Mpho Erasmus scored Bucks’ only goal in the first 10 minutes of the game, but it wasn’t enough to win the game.
The result marked Bucks’ 12th loss during the 2017-18 season and with a record of only four wins so far.
Amathol’amnyama have managed to collect 20 points while warming the basement of the log, with a 33-point difference to log-leaders Highlands Park, who are on 53 points.
“It wasn’t one of the difficult games to play because Uthongathi is one of the teams who are close to the relegation zone, and especially since we were playing at home we could have won it.
“We just never came to the party, to be honest with you, and we never looked like a team that is fighting against relegation, whereby we could have gone toe-to-toe with Uthongathi.
“Because we were playing like a team that’s out of confidence and that lacked the necessary aggression,” Dubula told the Daily Dispatch.
“We only recognised during the second half that we needed to push numbers forward to get a goal, but then it was already too late.
“Because the opponents had already scored their two goals and they only needed to defend until the final whistle.”
Dubula emphasised their lack of fighting spirit, as he hinted that Bucks’ players needed to do some introspection if they were to help their team survive relegation to the ABC Motsepe League.
“There’s no one else to blame for these results but us players. We are six points away from Uthongathi and showing character coupled with fighting spirit is our only ticket home.
“That will help us fight because even the way I see it on camp, the entire team is disappointed with themselves, because we were hoping for a win last weekend.
“And the supporters of Bucks must not stop believing in their team because we as players will fight until the very last game.”
On Monday Amathol’amnyama went on a Fifa week break, and they are scheduled to play against Witbank Spurs at the Puma Rugby Stadium when they return next week.
Spurs have been doing quite well as they’re currently on the seventh spot with 33 points on the log.
“We are trying to make this break useful to us, and we will play friendly games.
“And it’s important to note that we as players know what’s at stake, and we just going to push hard and hopefully luck will be on our side,” said Dubula.