Buffs edge ’Downs, go clear
MBABANE – Winger Phathizwe Mabuza’s strike three minutes before full time gave Manzini Wanderers their first point of the season after six games.
The maroon and white hub giants made their intentions known early as striker Fabrice Mopina got a free header inside the box but brought the best out of Manzini Sea Birds goalkeeper Bafana Ngwenya five minutes into the game.
The Terisayi Changara-led side were back at it again knocking for an opener, when their equalising goalscorer, Mabuza’s well weighted cross met the head of Mopina but his attempt narrowly missed the target.
Liweseli eventually broke the deadlock in the 13th minute through Mopina, who tapped the ball into the net from close range after connecting a pass delivered by midfielder Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini.
The latter could not believe his eyes when his long range shot was cleared on the goalline by Gcinizwi ‘Ngci’ Dlamini, with goalkeeper Ngwenya between the sticks well beaten a few minutes later.
EQUALISER
Sea Birds should have found the equaliser five minutes before half-time when brace hero Muzi Tsabadze danced his way into the box and came face to face with Bongiswa ‘Romeo’ Dlamini who made a daring save.
The sides went to the break with Wanderers enjoying the slender lead and the hub giants continued where they had
Muzi Tsabedze (M. Sea Birds): The captain led by example as he scored a brace against a rejuvenated Manzini Wanderers, which gave them a scare. He rose to the occasion when it mattered most but this was not one of the best games for the galloping striker despite that he still did his job.
left off in the opening half.
Wanderers continued pressing Izinyoni Zolwandle in search of the second goal, as the troublesome Mopina let fly a scorcher outside the box, which narrowly missed the target.
The Christian Thwala-coached Sea Birds equalised through Man of the
Match Muzi Tsabedze six minutes after the hour mark as he connected brilliantly a corner kick to tap home his first goal of the match.
BRACE
Tsabedze was back again 10 minutes later as he completed his brace after tapping in from close range following a cross into the area from the left flank and 2-1 it was.
This goal did not dampen Wanderers’ fighting spirit as Mabuza equalised three minutes before regulation time, from a Njabulo ‘Koko’ Gama telling cross, to give Liweseli their first point of the season in six games. There was no impact on the two sides’ standings after this result.
Y. Buffaloes ........... 1
Fanelo 26th
D. Sundowns ......... 0
ITEKI – Army side and MTN Premier League leaders Young Buffaloes yesterday extended their lead by four points at the summit of the standings.
This was after Buffaloes managed to annex the maximum three points against Denver Sundowns who suffered their third defeat in six matches. It took a solitary goal for Buffaloes to bring down the resilient youthful Sundowns. The win also meant Buffaloes’ dominance over the Kappa Boys continued after completing a double against them last season. Buffaloes had beaten Sundowns with the same margin in both rounds last season. Sundowns had also lost 0-3 and 1-4 in the 2020/21 season.
Extending the lead for Buffaloes at the top of the standings was Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba, who fired his team in front a few minutes before the half-hour mark. He scored after connecting a cross from attacking midfielder Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze who easily sold a dummy to defenders inside the box before a weighted cross to pick ‘Order’ who made no mistake and finished it off into the back of the net. His goal ensured Buffaloes remain at the summit regardless of today’s results as a draw would put them at risk of surrendering the position to Mbabane Highlanders, rookies Nsingizini Hotspurs, Mbabane Swallows or Green Mamba.
However, after the win, Highlanders and Nsingizini who are second and third respectively face off at 1pm today and have since gone four points behind while Swallows who play Moneni Pirates at 3:30pm and Green Mamba who are up against Tambankulu Callies
SKwanele Dlamini (D. Sundowns): The cool, calm and collected left back was troublesome for Buffaloes and was unlucky not to have scored. He overlapped well and also recovered quickly back to his position when it was time to defend. He combined well with late substitutes including Reagan Charles which saw the visitors regain the shape of the game but could not find the equaliser.
at 1pm today have nine points apiece.
All these teams are currently favourites for the first round leaders’ incentive of E100 000 as the games are into the Week Six, going to 13. Buffaloes dominated the first half as the visitors were shaky in the middle of the park. However, Sundowns contained the pressure with their disciplined defence which saw the game go for the break with the visitors still trailing 1-0.
The Ikabort Masocha-coached charges came from the breather a better side than the home side. At the restart of the game, Masocha introduced two fresh legs, bringing on Reagan Charles and Bhekinkhosi Mlotsa for Mthokozisi Hlatshwako in the middle and Simphiwe ‘Cheese’ Manana at the back. Buffaloes on the other side, introduced Sibonelo Sibandze for Siboniso Mkhwanazi.
There was nothing much to write home about as play was more centred in the belly of the park but some few attempts at goal started coming after the hour, but it was not clear cut. There was nearly a penalty for the trailing Kappa Boys when Siphamandla Maseko was fouled by Sibonelo Sibandze just at the edge of the box. Sibandze was cautioned for the foul but it bore no fruit for Sundowns as Maseko’s effort was cleared off the line by the army side. Sundowns ran out of the time with Buffaloes holding on to their lone goal to collect the maximum points.