BUFFS THRASH WANDERERS

Sports Editor

(At Mavuso Sport Centre)
Young Buffaloes.........(1) 3,
Ali 35th, Order 75th, Wandile 82nd
Mnz. Wanderers.........(0) 0,

MANZINI – Like a cornered rabbit in front of the headlights of an oncoming truck, a shell-shocked Manzini Wanderers head coach Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe had to be escorted off the pitch as irate club fans bayed for his blood.

Hlophe, barely a month after returning to his beloved Wanderers, needed police escort as visible angry Wanderers fans shouting unprintable expletives called for his resignation following a third defeat of what is slowly turning into a nightmarish season with only seven games played so far.

Yesterday’s embarrassing 3-0 loss came a week after suffering a third successive defeat to Manzini Sea Birds last Sunday at Somhlolo National Stadium and it leaves the hub giants lying on the eighth spot and a massive 11 points behind table-topping Mbabane Swallows with just seven games played.

The ruthless army side started the game on a high with quicksilver striker Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze’s audacious attempt from the half-way line from kickoff forcing Wanderers goalkeeper Sandile Dlamini to flick the ball over the bar.

It was early warning signs from ‘Amathole Ezinyathi’ that indeed, they will be paying on the front-foot. Five minutes after the half-hour mark they got the lead when Wanderers keeper Sandile fumbled a free kick by Ali Matse, when a routine save should have sufficed. Wanderers began the second half the more inventive side, Johnson Mensah breaking free in the 52nd minute but dillydallying with the ball until Buffaloes cleared their lines.

Six minutes later, defender Thami Zulu saw his glancing header ricocheted off the bar. Buffaloes head coach Dominic Kunene played his ace, bringing in Sanele Ngcamphalala for Mpendulo Dlamini and the army side took control of the belly of the park. They scored the second goal 15 minutes from time, when Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba finished a rebound after a ‘Saviola’ shot had been blocked by Wanderers goalkeeper at close range.

It was 3-0 eight minutes from time when Wandile Maseko headed in unmarked a Lindo Mkhonta cross to end the game as a contest, leaving the Wanderers supporters baying for the blood of coach Nyanga Hlophe who had to be escorted to his car after the game by the men in blue.
Buffaloes, who are the only team in the league yet to concede a goal, moved to third spot inspite of having three games in hand.

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