Few days ago after playing a draw against Sekhukhune United, I wanted to find the logic behind the coach’s decision for not starting with neither Oswin Appolis nor Relebohile Mofokeng since they are serious match winners based on their creativity, speed, dynamism and an eye for goal. While few said that the boys did everything enough to win the match, for me, it was very clear that failure to start with either of them in a game of such magnitude especially after rivals had put more pressure after winning their midweek games.

Saturday evening’s game against Magesi FC couldn’t have demonstrated the importance of the duo more better. While Relebohile Mofokeng seems to be grabbing all the headlines due to his wonderful display that came with an assist and a goal of his own, it’s presence of Oswin Appollis that helped because now opponent were forced to have divided attention as they can leave the other and focus on another. Bucs could have scored more had they been clinical but the most important thing I’m highlighting here is the importance of Mofokeng and Appollis’ psychological effect that they have in the opponents especially when they are both on the pitch at the same time.

While tactics of the match day and opponents may influence the decision of the coach, it’s of critical importance that there’s a proper balance to have your best players on the pitch to increase your chances of scoring and winning games especially at this stage of the season. Having a good bench of players who can come and change the game it’s equally important however, certain opponents the longer it’s goes without conceding, will decide to settle for a draw and even when you bring in your deadly weapons from the bench, it can be a little too late as we saw against Sekhukhune United.

Lastly, I think the failure to win convincingly especially with more goal when there’s an opportunity to do so, it’s something that can prove costly at the end of the season because goal difference can be a decisive factor on who wins the league. A game against Magesi was another game where Bucs should have scored at four goal to ensure that they match or surpass sundowns in goal diffence because it’s going to be very key at the end. Getting too excited especially playing in front of sold-out Amstel Arena can make players waste big chances and they need to be calmed down because it shows weak mentality more than a poor technique.