'BUFFS' DENT PIRATES' TOP 4 HOPES

(At Mavuso Sports Centre)

Young Buffaloes .............. (2) 4
Bongwa 14th , 85th Phiwa 34th , Fanelo 56th

Moneni Pirates ............... (0) 2
Senanelo 73rd , 75th

MANZINI – Young Buffaloes secured a dominant 4-2 victory over Moneni Pirates, thanks to a brace from Bongwa Mastebula and goals from Phiwa Dlamini and Fanelo Mamba.

This loss was a missed opportunity for Moneni Pirates, who were hoping for a confidence boost ahead of their Ingwenyama Cup final against Royal Leopard.

In a separate fixture, Royal Leopard continued their league and cup dominance, defeating Ezulwini United 7-1.

The match between Young Buffaloes and Moneni Pirates began with excellent ball rotation from Buffaloes. Moneni Pirates were quick to threaten in the box, but Buffaloes managed to snuff out the danger early on.

Innocent ‘Makhehleni’ Dlamini of Buffaloes took the first shot in the fourth minute, but Moneni’s second-choice goalkeeper made an effortless save.

Bongwa ‘Logwaja’ Mastebula opened the scoring for Buffaloes in the 14th  minute, converting a rebound from a save by Moneni’s goalkeeper. Buffaloes frequently broke through Moneni’s defence with precise through balls, while Moneni were without their long-serving Captain, Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane.

Bongwa unleashed another shot from a quickly taken throw-in by Siphosethu Mabilisa in the 19th minute. Moneni Pirates’ Vukile Khumalo had a tame effort at the edge of the box in the 21st minute, marking their closest chance in the opening stages.

Buffaloes continued to exploit long balls that found their speedy forwards, causing headaches for the ‘Sea Robbers’ defence, while Khumalo was playing as a winger instead of his usual left-back position.

A pinpoint cross from Bongwa met Phiwa ‘Silwabelwabe’ Dlamini in the box, narrowly missing the target in the 24th minute. Buffaloes’ Mlungisi Nxumalo then made a brilliant save against Moneni Pirates’ Philiswa Shongwe in the 26th minute.

Phiwa scored the second goal for Buffaloes in the 34th minute, tapping in from a low-driven cross in the box. Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba took a blistering shot from a pass by Ali Matse but found the side netting.

Leon ‘Shuster’ Manyisa dominated the midfield alongside Innocent Dlamini. The first-half concluded with Buffaloes leading 2-0. Moneni Pirates kicked off the second half with renewed intent, dominating the opening minutes. Despite their improved play, they struggled to find the back of the net.

‘Silwabelwabe’ controlled the ball under pressure from a well-taken ‘Order’ cross, leading to Buffaloes’ third goal with a well-placed header in the 56th minute.

Moneni Pirates, showing better form in the second half, finally pulled one back through Senanelo Nkambule in the 73rd minute, scoring from a rebound saved by Buffaloes’ shot-stopper, Mlungisi Nxumalo.

The score was now 3-1, reigniting the hopes of their packed supporters. Senanelo scored again in the 75th minute, heading home from a cross by Mthokozisi ‘General’ Hlatswako, bringing the score to 3-2.

With their spirited performance, Moneni players were keen to find an equaliser. However, Bongwa secured his brace in the 85th minute, extending Buffaloes’ lead to 4-2 from a well-placed defence-splitting pass.

Four additional minutes were played, during which Buffaloes successfully concluded the fixture, claiming all three points.

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