(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
Y. Buffaloes…….(0)1
‘Mpetha’ 85th
N. Hotspurs…….(0)0
MANZINI – Young Buffaloes gained sweet revenge for last season’s exit by beating defending champions Nsingizini Hotspurs 1-0 in an 8Bet Trade Fair Cup match at Mavuso Sports Centre last night.
Amathole ‘ezinyathi’ broke the deadlock five minutes from time as Mpendulo ‘Mpetha’ Dlamini headed home a gift-wrapped corner from Leon ‘Schuster’ Manyisa to send Young Buffaloes into the next round.
Both teams approached the match with caution and settled for passing the ball in the opening quarter.
Young Buffaloes registered the first attempt on goal in the 16th minute when Siboniso ‘Gaxa’ Ngwenya let fly from outside the box. His effort never troubled Sibusiso ‘Baraba’ Dlamini between the sticks, as he gathered it comfortably.
The defending champions’ newly-signed midfielder, Innocent Pakule, then unleashed a scorcher which was tipped over for a fruitless corner by goalkeeper Simo Ndzinisa.
The sides began to make more meaningful forays in search of the opener once the match was 30 minutes old, but neither could break the deadlock. The first 45 minutes failed to produce a goal as referee Celumusa Siphepho signalled for the interval.
Njabulo Gama nearly broke the deadlock a minute before the hour-mark when he connected with a well-weighted pass from Dlamini, but his effort sailed narrowly over the bar.
Sensing danger, Nsingizini Hotspurs Coach Mandla Qhogi made a treble substitution to inject fresh legs in search of the opener.
His counterpart Dominic Kunene also made a double change.
Both teams created numerous scoring chances in the closing stages, but neither could find the net until Mpetha’s late header settled it.
The army side has now booked a place in the semi-finals of the tournament. They will face either Mbabane Swallows or Mbabane Highlanders who faced off in a blockbuster clash last night.
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