BCM sides fall short in openers
Women’s soccer coach not worried despite her team battling to find feet
Buffalo City Metro men’s and women’s soccer teams will have to play catch up when they play their second games of the third annual Steve Vukile Tshwete Games in East London on Friday.
The hosts’ girls’ side were beaten 2-0 by Nelson Mandela Metro at Bunkers Hill Sport Fields on Thursday, a result their team manager Anezwa Mbilase was not really worried about as they were still trying to gel as a team.
The BCM men’s team was also beaten 2-1 by Alfred Nzo District Municipality at the same venue earlier.
“The lack of understanding each other on the pitch was our biggest downfall. We couldn’t communicate well inside the pitch, and secondly our fitness levels were low, but I can see them picking up,” said Mbilase.
“Because whenever we had the ball we would be congested in one area, forgetting the other unoccupied areas on the pitch, and I think those were things that led us to get beaten by NMB.”
Mbilase said if the team had enough time to practice and gel together the result would have come back different.
“We just came here to play because there was no chance to practise before coming to the tournament.
“I just think if we had enough time to practise things like our setpieces, defensive play and other important things for a soccer team, we would have came out tops.
“We are going to prepare to play against Chris Hani District Municipality, and I’ve watched them play.
“They have good players, but we have learnt from the mistakes we committed in the first game against NMB.”
After failing to secure maximum points in the first game Mbilase said she expected the rest of the tournament to be smooth sailing.
“I know that when we play the second game we are going to be able to cause an upset because we’ve had time now to see who’s good at what.
“So we can plan accordingly now, and even my players are starting to feel confident enough to fight for the ball.
“We expect the second game to be somewhat easy because we have identified all the mistakes that need to be fixed. So that game will be used to bounce back from the loss, now we are just focusing on that.”
Mbilase hailed the concept by South African Local Government Association that was proposed to the department of sport, recreation, arts and culture four years ago.
“These games are quite good for developing our players. To some of them this is an opportunity to see the world and how other people live. So this good for our kids.
“Even those that come from well-off households, they are now starting to realise the importance of playing sport., the opportunities that are available at their disposal.
“Even those that might be enticed to try out drugs or alcohol – it becomes very difficult to do so when they’ve been to these games.
“Because they know that they will be throwing away their bright future,” said Mbilase...
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.
This article is free to read if you register or sign in.
If you have already registered or subscribed, please sign in to continue.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@dispatchlive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.