Times Of Swaziland: WASTEFUL PIRATES FRUSTRATE ‘BUFFS’

WASTEFUL PIRATES FRUSTRATE ‘BUFFS’
================================================================================
Pholisile Hlophe on 05/12/2022 07:15:00


MANZINI – Lady luck shunned Moneni Pirates and denied them victory over Young
Buffaloes, as the two sides settled for a goalless draw yesterday afternoon at
Mavuso Sports Centre.
In the past seven meetings, the Buccaneers of Moneni registered one win and that
was a 2-0 victory in last season’s first round. A win yesterday would have
been sweet revenge for Pirates who suffered a 0-5 thrashing by the army side in
the second round clash last season.
Moneni Pirates went into the game as underdogs with only six points in the bag,
while leaders Buffaloes  had 17 points. Pirates went all out to redeem
themselves after last week’s 0-1 defeat by newcomers Nsingizini Hotspurs.
In the absence of injured Buffaloes’ marksman and last season’s top
goalscorer, Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze, Pirates lived to regret their wasted
chances despite their remarkable short passes which met a resistant defence on
the opposite end.
Senele Nkambule’s effort within range nearly wounded Buffaloes, thanks to
goalkeeper Bhekisisa Dlamini who saved the day in the 38th minute. Pirates were
under attack in the second-half as Buffaloes threatened to prove their
dominance. Three rebounds by Buffaloes players within the box brought out the
best out of Pirates goalkeeper Dlamini who blocked three traumatic shots after
the 80th minute.  Buffaloes lived dangerously at some point but the alert
goalkeeper kept them at bay.
Pirates remained with 10 men in the field but this was a short-lived advantage
for Buffaloes who were forced to substitute their goalkeeper with an infield
player, Kwakhe Tfwala, as they had exhausted their four substitutes as per the
rules of the game.  Both teams failed to pull one back in full time and six
minutes added time, thus settled for a goalless draw. With Mbabane Swallows
suffering a shock loss to Nsingizini Hotspurs, Buffaloes remained at the summit
of the charts.