STYLISH PIRATES HELD TO 2-ALL DRAW BY BUFFALOES

MANZINI – Moneni Pirates captivated over 1 000 soccer lovers with sheer football artistry before settling for a 2-2 draw against army side Young Buffaloes.

The exciting MTN League second round clash was played at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday afternoon in front of an appreciative crowd of more or less than 1 000 soccer lovers.
Like yester year Pirates’ sides, Van Rooyen Magagula’s charges captured the imagination and thrilled the soul with some breathtakingly beautiful football that in most instances found Buffaloes wanting. Leading the onslaught was master schemer, the irrepressible Mxolisi ‘General’ Lukhele, who was unlucky not to have rattled the net himself.

The petite central midfielder was all over Buffaloes, overshadowing the likes of Mphile Tsabedze, Sibusiso Lukhele and Wandile Shabangu in the heart of the field. Lukhele was the dictator yesterday, controlling the tempo of the game and pulling the strings alongside an equally wonderful Bongani Ndzimandze and the workhorse, Mncediso Dlamini.

Pirates, despite falling behind with only eight minutes played through their former winger Sebenele ‘Pinar’ Dlamini, who connected with a glancing header a well floated free kick by Sifiso Maseko – never lost their focus and shape.
They played football the way the Pirates of old did, with passion and zeal. It came as no surprise when winger Khayela Mdluli scored his first by tapping in from close range, after Buffaloes goalkeeper Sicelo Mkhwanazi and defender Sikelela Dlamini failed to communicate, to bring his team back into the game.

Pirates started the second half like a house on fire but despite their dominance, still failed to create any clear-cut scoring chances.  
They finally found the second though, through Mdluli again. The architect was Lukhele, who weaved his way past Buffaloes defenders before delivering a telling square ball that Lukhele rifled home from close range to send the Buffaloes’ supporters into frenzy.
After this goal, Pirates took their foot of the pedal and were made to pay. Timothy Mathonsi, Buffaloes’ second half substitute, evened matters with a great header 20 minutes from time.
Referee: Wandile Lukhele

Crowd: More or less than 1 000 soccer fans
Weather: Partly cloudy and hot
Man of the Match: Mxolisi ‘General’ Lukhele – he made things look so easy this boy who hails from Bethany. Like a true army general, he controlled the battle lines, dictating the tempo of the game for his side with relative ease, while having a field day against seasoned campaigner, Young Buffaloes’ Mphile Tsabedze.

Shot of the day: The Pirates’ schemer Mxolisi Lukhele unleashed a thunderbolt midway through the last half from about 20 yards. It looked headed for the net but somehow flew just wide of the target with Pirates’ supporters already celebrating a goal.
Goal of the day: Timothy ‘Timo’ Mathonsi – the Buffaloes’ second half substitute scored with a cracking header after connecting perfectly a Sebenele Dlamini cross from the right flank to even matters for his team.

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