KOKI’S BLACK COMEBACK

BY THEMBA ZWANE
(At Somhlolo National Stadium)
M.Highlanders.........(0)0
Y.Buffaloes.............(1) 1
Saviola 35th

LOBAMBA - Army side Young Buffaloes continue to stretch their winning streak in the 2019/20 MTN Premier League.

They beat Mbabane Highlanders 1-0 here last night and thanks to Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze’s first half solitary goal. This was Highlanders’ first defeat after six outings in the MTN Premier League. 

It was not a pleasant welcome for new head coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati on his first game in charge of the black and white ensemble.  The game started on a high note with both teams coming at each other hard but the Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati outfit looked more hungry and determined. The first great chance for Mbabane Highlanders came in six minutes but the pressure to score against Buffaloes made Patrick Mashele blast the ball over the woodwork.
It was Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze who had the chance to put the capital giants on the front soon after but he was unlucky to see his long-range effort inches wide from the target.

Foul

The nearly 2 000 fans of the black and white outfit thought Highlanders would get a penalty after what appeared to be a foul to Muzikayifani Ngindi but referee Thembinkosi Dlamini waved his his hands to signify that it was not to be.

Towards the half-hour mark, Highlanders started to lower the tempo and the army side put more pressure with Phiwa Dlamini’s shot wide and Ali Matse having his volley over the cross bar and not bothering goalkeeper Phila Mamba. Buffaloes’ Ali almost put the Dominic Kunene-led side in front from a set piece but goalkeeper Phila was equal to the task. Eventually, Buffaloes broke the deadlock 10 minutes before half time after Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze nodded home a well-crafted Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba cross from the right channel.

Unlucky

Jimoh Moses was unlucky as he was denied by Buffaloes’ Nhlanhla at close range for a fruitless corner from a corner kick play.
It was arguably the best chance the capital giants had had since the start of the game.

Highlanders were further dealt another huge blow as goalkeeper Phila was stretchered out by medics to their ambulance after an injury and the ‘Black Bull’ had to make another forced substitution with the goalie going out for Khanyakwezwe Shabalala.
Both teams played good attacking football as Highlanders sought an equaliser while Buffaloes wanted a second and both created good scoring chances but could not find the back of the net.

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