HAT-TRICK HERO ‘SAVIOLA’ BACK-HEELS ‘BUFFS’ TO VICTORY

MBABANE – A 24 minute hat-trick by Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze, including an exquisite back-heeled goal kept Young Buffaloes in the MTN League title hunt with nine games remaining here yesterday.

The reigning ‘Player of the Season’ and scorer of the national team, Sihlangu’s equaliser against Mozambique’s Black Mambas in a Tri-Nations Cup a week ago in Maputo, grabbed three goals in the 65th, 86th and 89th minute as the army side pushed Black Swallows deeper into the relegation murky waters. His hat-trick took his personal tally to eight goals, but it was his third goal yesterday, a minute before full-time, that should easily contest for the ‘Goal of the Season’ award, had there been any. A long cross from the right flank by Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba saw the maverick striker skilfully back-heel the ball past the desperate hands of Black Swallows goalkeeper, Bongiswa Dlamini, who in spite of the 3-0 scoreline, had a brilliant game.

The scoreline itself was not a true reflection of the game as the relegation-threatened the Pigg’s Peak-based outfit matched their more illustrious opponents pound for pound, in particular in the first half and twice were hard done by abhorrent refereeing decisions. First assistant referee Sifiso Nxumalo’s shocking decisions in the 22nd minute when he ruled off-side winger William Kunene, who had ran – from his own half - onto a long pass from the right flank by impressive rightful back Wandile Sacolo to toe poke the ball into the back net left everyone inside the stadium in astonishment. Then two minutes before Buffaloes scored the second goal, Black Swallows had genuine calls for a penalty when Sihlangu Mkhwanazi looked like he had handled the ball inside the box while trying to clear a Mfundo Mkhabela cross, waved away by referee Mbongeni Myeni.  

Before then, Bongiswa had kept Black Swallows in the game with two brilliant saves including a top drawer one-hand save to deny Phiwa Dlamini his 16th goal of the campaign 10 minutes before half time.  Black Swallows Fakazi Dlamini fell ‘Saviola’ inside the box and the talented striker rose up to score the first of his three goals of the day. After the genuine penalty calls were turned away by referee, Mbongeni Myeni in the 85th minute, a minute later Buffaloes were 2-0 when ‘Saviola’ converted from the edge of the box to put the game beyond Black Swallows reach.

Then came Gamedze’s glorious moment and probably the best goal of his glittering career. A long punted cross from Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba, saw the bow-legged attacking midfielder unleash a sleek back-heel which left goalkeeper Bongiswa Dlamini slithering on his stomach on the turf like a newly born kitten as the Sihlangu striker notched up his eighth goal of the season and his fourth goal in two games having scored the 46th minute winner in the army side’s last league clash against Malanti Chiefs at Killarney Sports Ground last week, Saturday. Buffaloes’ 15th win of the campaign kept them six points behind police side Royal Leopard who needed a controversial referee’s optional time penalty to beat Moneni Pirates 1-0 at Mavuso Sports Centre, while Black Swallows’ 12th loss of the season ensured they remain third from the bottom with nine games remaining.

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