EAGLES SOAR OVER ‘BUFFS’

Green Eagles……..................(0) 2
Mwambe 61st, Manango 90+6
Young Buffaloes…................ (0) 0

MBABANE – Army side Young Buffaloes have endured a frustrating start to their CAF Confederation Cup campaign following a 0-2 defeat to 10-man Green Eagles of Zambia.

 Dominic Kunene’s troops began their journey in Africa’s second-tier club competition with a visit to the debutants at their ‘happy hunting ground’ at the refurbished Choma Independence Stadium, which is situated over 200 kilometres from Zambia’s capital Lusaka.

Buffaloes conceded two goals in the second half through Edward Mwamba in the 61st minute and Jonathan Manongo on the stroke of full-time. The country’s envoys, who got a slot by winning the then SwaziBank Cup, are still in contention of making it to the next round, but have to score at least three unanswered goals when they host the Zambians next Wednesday at Mavuso Sports Centre.

High note

The game started on a high note with both teams missing some chances but it was Green Eagles that had an upper hand over the local side. The game went for the breather with both teams still level-pegging.

Eagles were reduced to 10 men in the 89th minute when midfielder Amity Shemande was sent-off for a crude tackle on Buffaloes defender Sihlangu Mkhwanazi.

However, Eagles went on to score the cushion goal when Jonathan Manongo pounced on a rebound after Young Buffaloes goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu had parried Anos Tembo’s 96th minute penalty into his path.
At the end of proceedings, the hosts were soaring higher following a dream debut and would only need to keep their back door shut in the second leg to go through.

Meanwhile, Eagles are making their first-ever continental appearance just 10 years after they made their FAZ Super Division debut and are also the first club from Zambia’s Southern Province to play in African club cup competition.

Young Buffaloes, on the other hand, are returning to the continental tournament for a second straight year. Last year they were knocked out at the same stage by South Africa’s Cape Town City as they were beaten 2-0 on aggregate after losing both legs by a solitary goal.

The winner after next week’s decider will face either NA Hussein Dey of Algeria or Congo Brazzaville’s CSMD Noirs in the next stage.

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