‘BUFFS’ STUN LEOPARD

 (At Somhlolo National Stadium)
Leopard .................. (1)2
Sifiso 22nd, Sifiso 90 + 2
Buffaloes ................ (1)2
Ndoda 45th, 71st, ‘Skosh’ 115th

LOBAMBA – Revenge is a dish best served cold. Police side Royal Leopard can attest to this after going down 2-3 to forces rivals Young Buffaloes who they knocked out in last year’s edition of the Ingwenyama Cup.

Leopard, who are the past edition’s runners-up, won that match 1-0 and had looked set to do it again when they outplayed their rivals in the first half.
However, it was not to be after finishing level on 2-all in regular time. It took seasoned midfielder Wandile ‘Skosh’ Shabangu’s scorcher from outside the box five minutes from time in the second half of extra time to decide the match.

Just like Leopard had cut short the wild celebrations in their grandstand in stoppage time with a Sifiso Matse goal to make it 2-2, Buffaloes saved the best for last and there was no coming back for Leopard. The match itself was action packed with Leopard breaking the deadlock through Sifiso ‘Sushi’ Nkhambule’s glancing header that beat goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu to the top corner in the near post.

Buffaloes drew level at the stroke of half time through brace hero Ndoda Mthethwa who tapped in from inside six yards an Ali Matse delivery from the left wing.
The second half saw Buffaloes starting strongly. It was no surprise when they went ahead in the 69th minute. This time Ndoda nodded home into the far corner an Ali Matse corner kick. The header first hit the bottom upright on the inside before going in, leaving goalkeeper Phephisani Msibi helpless.
However, just when everyone had thought the match after the two minutes of time had just run out, Leopard scored after Matse stole the ball from Gwebu, who appeared to have handled the cross and scored to force the match into extra time. Others had already left the stadium but had to rush back for the extra time.
Buffaloes became the second team to reach the semi-finals after Malanti Chiefs who earlier beat Tinyosi 1-0 in extra time.

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