The Bees FC secured a 2-1 win against Baroka FC in their debut ABC Motsepe Championship encounter at KaNyamazane Stadium on Sunday, August 24.
Nyoshi Yaluma were recently promoted to the championship in July after playing the national play-off in Gauteng. In the opening stages of the match, Baroka FC dominated, launching a series of attacks on the home side.
Baroka FC continued to dominate for the first 10 minutes, creating several chances in the opposition half but failing to convert them. In the 20th minute, Bonginkosi Makume opened the score with the first goal of the game.
Four minutes later, Baroka pushed for a second to extend their lead, but their momentum was halted when The Bees fought back and shifted the flow of the match. From the 25th minute, Nyoshi Yaluma pressed for an equaliser, dominating play and firing several shots at goal.
Khayaelihle Xaba of The Bees scored an equalising goal in the 42nd minute just three minutes before the half-time break. In the first-half injury time, Sicelo Masilela of The Bees, extended their lead, sending the teams into the break with The Bees ahead 2-1.
In the second half, no goals were scored but The Bees defended their lead and aimed to extend it, but they could not break through Baroka’s defence.
“Actually, it is not about the unbeaten run. It is to make sure that we keep the momentum and collect as many points as we can. Since it was an away game, I will take one point. I don’t want to be too desperate because it is still early in the season.
“As long as we keep the rhythm and momentum, it’s okay, especially since we were coming from a goal down and we equalised. We looked balanced when we were in position and the boys played very well. We will just go back and do the corrections. We are still on the right track. We won’t give up.”
Mthombeni also believes the character his side is showing will be key this season and hopes they will continue with that in the upcoming matches.
