Times Of Swaziland: STYLISH PIRATES HELD TO  2-ALL DRAW BY BUFFALOES

STYLISH PIRATES HELD TO  2-ALL DRAW BY BUFFALOES
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BY CHRIS DLAMINI  on 03/03/2014 05:01:00


MANZINI – Moneni Pirates captivated over 1 000 soccer lovers with sheer
football artistry before settling for a 2-2 draw against army side Young
Buffaloes.
The exciting MTN League second round clash was played at Mavuso Sports Centre
yesterday afternoon in front of an appreciative crowd of more or less than 1 000
soccer lovers.
Like yester year Pirates’ sides, Van Rooyen Magagula’s charges captured the
imagination and thrilled the soul with some breathtakingly beautiful football
that in most instances found Buffaloes wanting. Leading the onslaught was master
schemer, the irrepressible Mxolisi ‘General’ Lukhele, who was unlucky not to
have rattled the net himself.
The petite central midfielder was all over Buffaloes, overshadowing the likes of
Mphile Tsabedze, Sibusiso Lukhele and Wandile Shabangu in the heart of the
field. Lukhele was the dictator yesterday, controlling the tempo of the game and
pulling the strings alongside an equally wonderful Bongani Ndzimandze and the
workhorse, Mncediso Dlamini.
Pirates, despite falling behind with only eight minutes played through their
former winger Sebenele ‘Pinar’ Dlamini, who connected with a glancing header
a well floated free kick by Sifiso Maseko – never lost their focus and shape.
They played football the way the Pirates of old did, with passion and zeal. It
came as no surprise when winger Khayela Mdluli scored his first by tapping in
from close range, after Buffaloes goalkeeper Sicelo Mkhwanazi and defender
Sikelela Dlamini failed to communicate, to bring his team back into the game.
Pirates started the second half like a house on fire but despite their
dominance, still failed to create any clear-cut scoring chances.
They finally found the second though, through Mdluli again. The architect was
Lukhele, who weaved his way past Buffaloes defenders before delivering a telling
square ball that Lukhele rifled home from close range to send the Buffaloes’
supporters into frenzy.
After this goal, Pirates took their foot of the pedal and were made to pay.
Timothy Mathonsi, Buffaloes’ second half substitute, evened matters with a
great header 20 minutes from time.
Referee: Wandile Lukhele
Crowd: More or less than 1 000 soccer fans
Weather: Partly cloudy and hot
Man of the Match: Mxolisi ‘General’ Lukhele – he made things look so easy
this boy who hails from Bethany. Like a true army general, he controlled the
battle lines, dictating the tempo of the game for his side with relative ease,
while having a field day against seasoned campaigner, Young Buffaloes’ Mphile
Tsabedze.
Shot of the day: The Pirates’ schemer Mxolisi Lukhele unleashed a thunderbolt
midway through the last half from about 20 yards. It looked headed for the net
but somehow flew just wide of the target with Pirates’ supporters already
celebrating a goal.
Goal of the day: Timothy ‘Timo’ Mathonsi – the Buffaloes’ second half
substitute scored with a cracking header after connecting perfectly a Sebenele
Dlamini cross from the right flank to even matters for his team.