WeeklySA_AdminRESILIENCE: The Mpumalanga rookies prepared to fight to stay in the league…
By Masoja Cele
Newly promoted ensemble The Bees embark on their journey to realising the dream of winning their third match in the Motsepe Foundation Championship against Milford FC at KaNyamazane Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday.
The Mpumalanga team, which hails from Naas township in the Nkomazi region, plays their home fixtures at Kanyamazane Stadium, some 105km away from home. Their home venue, Naas Stadium, does not meet the Premier Soccer League requirements. Kick-off is at 15:00.
Speaking to Weekly SA Mirror, The Bees general manager Stanley Ndlovu had this to say: “Despite the issue of the venue, we are prepared to fight for our stay in the league. Actually, playing our matches in KaNyamazane has instilled more discipline to the team. Nevertheless, we will soldier on until the stadium impasse is sorted out,” Ndlovu explained.
Dubbed‘’Nyoshi Yaluma’’in football circles, The Bees were promoted to the championship in the 2024/25 campaign. In their debut match in the second tier, they surprised all and sundry when they punished long-time championship custodians Baroka FC with a 2-1 win.
They followed that with a 2-1 loss to Lerumo Lions. Subsequently, it was back to the drawing board for the Mpumalanga outfit as they came back strongly in their outing against fellow new arrivals Midlands Wanderers last Sunday.
“Nyoshi Yaluma’’ convincingly beat Wanderers 2-0 with former Orlando Pirates’ Ndumiso Mabena and Kamogelo Mashiloane grabbing a goal apiece. These results pushed The Bees to second position on the log standings behind Casric Stars.
“Nyoshi Yaluma’’, who are guided by former Moroka Swallows and Kaizer Chiefs midfielder will trust that their captain and well-travelled midfielder Innocent Mkhabela lifts the confidence of his young team mates with his loads of experience.
Mkhabela was previously on the books of teams like Platinum Stars, SuperSport United, Kaizer Chiefs and Highlands Park. Another seasoned campaigner Mabena, who was signed in the beginning of the season, is expected to continue with his scoring exploits for his side.
Milford’s debut opening championship season record is quite impressive. The KZN Stallions have played three matches, won two and lost one. They opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 against Lerumo Lions, lost to Casric Stars with the same scoreline and last weekend beat Venda FC 1-0.
Both teams are tied on six points with “Nyoshi Yaluma’’ sandwiched on the second berth because of goal difference, while the Stallions are lying third.
With the KZN side bringing such a satisfactory record at Kanyamazane, then this battle is bound to be a thrill-a-minute affair.
Though early in the season, the Stallions chairman Dr Xanti Pupuma, who doubles up as the team head coach, has done fairly well. If only his team can persist with the same display throughout this campaign. Who knows, they might pull something out of the hat.
The KZN side will rely on the likes of speedy right winger Siphamandla Mhlongo, their main striker Michael Gumede, defensive midfielder and midfield instigator Andile Zuma to unlock the opposition’s unyielding defence.
Without a doubt, this much-anticipated battle will be won in the middle of the park.
