MHLUME – This fixture is one for goals – at least 13 have been scored in their two MTN Premier League meetings this season with Young Buffaloes, victorious in both.
It was 6-2 yesterday in favour of the army side who are now back in pole position on head-to-head advantage as they are tied on 43 points with Green Mamba, who play a vengeful Mbabane Highlanders later today at Mavuso Sports Centre. The reverse fixture between Buffaloes and Sea Birds ended with a 4-1 scoreline, again Buffaloes were the winners. Buffaloes had an unexpected hero today amid Ali Matse’s man of the match performance.
Defender Siboniso Mamba recorded his first hat-trick in Buffaloes’ colours when as he nodded home twice from close range, two minutes into the match and again a minute before half-time to give his side the much-needed relief as he made it 3-0. His teammate Bongiswa Dlamini netted their second goal in the seventh minute as they controlled proceedings, thanks to the good work by Matse in the middle of the park. The latter provided three assists and scored a brace himself to cap a perfect afternoon out in front of the army recruits who cheered them as they almost filled the tiny grandstand at Nsukuwansuku Stadium. Also among the recruits was former Mbabane Highlanders Captain Chief Colani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze.
Back to the game, Mamba stretched matters for Sea Birds early in the second half when he again beat goalkeeper Bafana Ngwenya to complete his hat-trick and took the margin to 4-0. Five minutes later, it was Matse on target while he put the last nail on the Sea Birds’ coffin in eight minutes from the hour mark. It was this destruction that saw Green Mamba once again momentarily toppled by the army side at the summit. Sea Birds managed to get two consolation goals in the 62nd and 78th via their stalwart in winger and Captain Muzi Tsabedze.
Buffaloes have completed a double over Sea Birds who are ninth in the standings with 23 points after 19 matches. Also, Buffaloes are still unbeaten this season and the run stretches from last season’s second round final matches.
