DYLAN JACK
UP have endured a shaky start to the season in the National First Division. The team is currently sitting at the 9th spot on the log after five games, with two wins, one draw and two losses. At the time of going to print, UP had seven points and were six points behind league leaders Thanda Royal Zulu, who were sitting comfortably on 13 points. AmaTuks supporters were hopeful when AmaTuks started the season with a 2-1 home win over Cape Town Stars. AmaTuks followed up the win with a 2-1 victory away to Stellenbosch FC. They initially fell a goal behind Stellenbosch, but came back in the second half with Chemon Petersen scoring the decisive goal.
UP wobbled a bit on their unbeaten start to the season with a goalless draw at home to FC Cape Town in the third round of fixtures. During the fourth round of fixtures UP had a tough game against AmaZulu away from home. AmaTuks relinquished their unbeaten run to AmaZulu as they went down 3-0. AmaZulu derailed AmaTuks with an opening goal coming from Mabhuti Khenyeza, and a brace from veteran striker Siyabonga Nomvethe to send UP packing.
In the fifth round of fixtures, AmaTuks suffered their second consecutive defeat in a 1-0 home loss against Jomo Cosmos. The result left the team 9th on the log with just 7 points from a possible 15. Currently none of the team’s strikers have scored more than two goals, and according to critics, the team lacks a quality goal-scorer. UP have only scored four goals and conceded six so far this season, showing that defence is also an area of concern.
Going forward, UP’s loss of experienced players during the transfer window will not help their cause either, with striker Lennox Bacela leaving the club.
Photo: Pearl Mosoane.
