BUFFALOES’ 1ST VICTORY

TAMBANKULU – Young Buffaloes finally broke their winless run in the MTN Premier League with a 3-0 win over winless Milling Hot Spurs here yesterday.

‘Amathole Ezinyathi’ came to this game having recorded their worst start of a season in the past decade as they have failed to win from their first four opening matches. Yesterday, they were playing against a side that is also yet to win a game after five outings. In the absence of their coach Sabelo Mnisi, who is away with the national team, Under 17, the army side moved to 12th spot in the table while Hot Spurs are now based at the bottom of the table with a point from five matches.

Buffaloes finished second last season as they were the challengers to eventual winner Royal Leopard. They also qualified for the CAF Confederation Cup where they were eliminate din the first round and then came back home and lost three consecutive against Mbabane Highlanders, Moneni Pirates and Manzini Sea Birds before settling for a draw against Tinyosi, then the win yesterday. The Army side made their intentions felt a minute into the game as Sihlangu winger Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba made daunting run on the right flank, and released a clever pass to striker Phiwa ‘Slwabelwabe’ Dlamini, who took a lame shot which was easily saved by keeper Sifiso Maseko.

attacking

Buffaloes were back attacking Milling on all angles; no wonder they committed a foul outside the box on the right flank. Hot Spurs defender Njabuliso Tsela brought down Order, Sibonelo Sibandze delivered a nice pass into the area and after a scrabble for the ball, and Phiwa got it and tapped in for goal. Buffaloes continued to pile pressure on the host team but poor finishing was their major let down. On the other hand Milling Hotspurs failed to trouble Buffaloes and coach Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini made a substitution 34 minutes into the game. He took of Lwazi Bhembe for Bongani Dlamini.

lead

The teams went for a breather with Buffaloes enjoying the slender 1-0 lead. The reigning MTN Premier League top goal scorer Phiwa Dlamini won a set piece outside the box after a rough challenge. Sibonelo Sibandze delivered a cross into the box which Sandile ‘ Saviola’ Gamedze tapped in for goal three minutes into the hour mark. Seeing that the maximum points were in the bag, Buffaloes stand in coach Isaac Ndlangamadla made three changes, bringing in Sifiso Mazibuko, Mpendulo Dlamini and Ndoda Mtsetfwa for Order, Mancoba Mavimbela and Phiwa respectively. The changes seemed to work wonders for him as seven minutes before full time, Ndoda scored the third goal, to bag their first three points of the season.

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