Times Of Swaziland: BUFFALOES PUNISH WASTEFUL PIRATES

BUFFALOES PUNISH WASTEFUL PIRATES
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Nimrod Hlophe on 20/10/2024 15:55:00


MANZINI – Young Buffaloes condemned Moneni Pirates to a second consecutive MTN
Premier League defeat, as the latter failed to exact revenge on the army side.
Buffaloes had previously beaten Pirates 2-0 in the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup and they
delivered another blow to Christopher Ennin’s side. Veteran striker
Phiwayinkhosi ‘S’lwabelwabe’ Dlamini bagged a brace in the second half.
However, Pirates managed to pull one back through Senanelo Nkambule.These three
points saw the 2019/20 league winners climb one place up the ladder to fourth
place, overtaking Nsingizini Hotspurs, who fell short against Illovo yesterday.
Meanwhile, the defeat for the ‘Sea Robbers’ at the hands of ‘Amathole
Enyathi’ saw them slip from seventh place to position nine. The match kicked
off at a blistering pace, keeping fans on the edge of their seats, but neither
side could break the deadlock before half-time. Buffaloes created more chances,
but veteran defender Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane made key clearances,
thwarting their efforts.
Pirates pressed for a goal through Zahi Herve but lacked the cutting edge to
take the lead. After the restart, Pirates were quick off the blocks, trying to
shake off Buffaloes. Sensing the threat, Buffaloes struck two minutes later via
‘S’lwabelwabe’ nodded in a cross. Senanelo Nkambule then brought the hosts
back into the game, levelling the score precisely on the hour-mark.  However,
the goal came amidst the chaos of two match balls bouncing around the pitch.
Pirates took control of the game then, but ‘S’lwabelwabe’ shattered their
dominance in the 71st minute with a cracker. Impressive Richard Ofosu almost
salvaged a point just three minutes before full-time. The troublesome left-back
hit the woodwork, and Bandile Shongwe’s rebound was blocked for a fruitless
corner.
Man of the Match
Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini (Buffaloes): He kept it simple but used his experience to
crush Pirates. He knew his strengths, always went for aerial balls, and
eventually scored a brace to earn his team the victory.