Times Of Swaziland: SEVEN DREAMS DENT YOUNG BUFFALOES’ TITLE HOPES

SEVEN DREAMS DENT YOUNG BUFFALOES’ TITLE HOPES
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Sanele Jele on 05/03/2023 16:47:00


MBABANE – Relegation threatened Seven Dreams put a brave performance and only
ran short of winning, as they derailed Young Buffaloes’ title hopes.
This follows a 1-all draw in an MTN Premier League clash yesterday. The
rookies’ marksman Jabulane Mavimbela converted from the spot to give his side
a much-needed point after six back-to-back defeats. They now have eight points
after 18 games while Buffaloes are third with 37 points after the same number of
games. They dropped one place down the ladder due to that Mbabane Swallows
defeated Madlenya 3-1 in another elite league game played at the same venue
yesterday.
Swallows are on the second spot with 37 points as they have a superior goal
difference than the army side.Interestingly, Seven Dreams held their own and
they were the better team yesterday, displaying aggression and urgency as they
created but missed a few good chances that could have seen them seal the victory
with at least a 2-1 margin; they deserved better, but fluffed a glorious chance
in the dying minutes. It was easy to sense that a goal was coming and even they
scored the equaliser that cancelled out ex-Madlenya goal poacher Njabulo
Maziya’s 14th goal of the season scored soon after the break.
It was a great showing by the Zwelibandzi ‘Botsotso’ Khoza-coached side, who
were unfortunately caught off guard when they conceded.
However, Buffaloes had started the match like a house on fire, but could not
break the stubborn Seven Dreams defence. Usually one of the main scorers for
Buffaloes, Bongwa ‘Owa’ Matsebula must have cursed his gods after his strong
shot missed the target by inches five minutes before the quarter-hour mark.
Stunned
Buffaloes kept pressing and winger Ali Matse believed his volley was enough to
hit the back of the net, but was stunned to see it go off target by inches with
the goalkeeper beaten after the hour mark. Seven Dreams responded with a
Phumlani Ngwenya scorcher, but it was saved by Buffaloes goalkeeper Mlungisi
Nxumalo eight minutes before the break. Exciting attacking midfielder Sandile
‘Saviola’ Gamedze’s powerful shot inside the box was saved by Seven Dreams
goalkeeper Phila Mkhabela three minutes after break.
The goal finally came for the army side when Sibonelo Nsibandze’s well-timed
cross met the on form Maziya who headed home to beat the goalkeeper from close
range, four minutes after the restart. This was Maziya’s 14th goal of the
season and he is two goals shy of the league’s leading scorer, Swallows’
Felix Badenhorst who has 16 goals. Just when the visitors were pressing for a
second goal, the host team caught their opponents with a counter-attack, with a
Sandile Dlamini shot handled inside the box by Buffaloes’ Sihlangu Mkhwanazi
20 minutes before full-time and referee Wandile Mamba did not hesitate to give
the penalty. Mavimbela converted from the spot, sending the Buffaloes goalkeeper
the wrong direction.
The home side almost stole the show through their Captain Sandile Dlamini who
took Buffaloes defender Mkhwanazi on a solo run before letting fly a rasping
shot which missed the target by inches on the stroke of full-time.
Man of the match:
Sandile Dlamin (S. Dreams) - He led by example as the captain of the team, took
shots, his final passes were always accurate, also helped his teammates in
marking.He also contributed to the penalty which led to a goal and point for the
team.