Tough journey LIES ahead
Limpopo's two National First Division (NFD) teams, Magesi FC and Black Leopards, suffered a setback as they both lost their opening matches over the weekend.
LIMPOPO – Magesi lost 2-1 against Thanda Royal Zulu at the Peter Mokaba Stadium while Lidoda Duvha suffered a 2-1 at the hands of Amazulu at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban.
Leopards’ disappointed assistant coach, Sello Chokoe, said Amazulu was highly motivated, wining all the balls and the team got punished due to individual mistakes. “We are going back to the drawing board to plan for the Cosmos game. We will be playing at home in front of our fans, so our boys must win this one,” said Chokoe.
Soccer analysts who watched Black Leopards play against Baroka during the Fame Charity Cup said the team is not in good shape, even after their pre-season training in Swaziland.
“A player like Roggert Nyundu was not in good form last season and the midfielders like Sphelele Ntshangase’s heart is no longer in the team as there are Premier Soccer League teams who want to sign them. Players must be focused if they want to win the game,” the analysts said.
Lidoda Duvha midfielder, Marubini Manyane, didn’t go to Durban with the team due to problems relating to his contract.
Magesi FC coach, Jacky Ledwaba, said the team is regrouping after losing against Thanda Royal Zulu. “We had the game on our back as we are the first to score before halftime and later we lost it. We should have killed the game in the first half as we dominated the match. Lack of concentration at the back cost us a lot and we missed brilliant chances. Wining the games is all about scoring goals, concentration, commitment and if players don’t score, the opponents take advantage of that. We don’t lose home games but the weekend’s loss disappointed us.
“Next week, the team will compete against Cape Town FC, and although it is an away game, we are expecting our boys to come back victorious,” said Ledwaba.
