By Sibusiso Masilela | 2020-11-30
Young Buffaloes……..........………… (0)0
Le Messenger…………..........………. (0)0
SOCCER - DESPITE playing against a disorganised team, local envoys Young Buffaloes dismally failed use home ground advantage profitably as they were held to a goalless draw by Burundi side Le Messager.
This was during a CAF Champions League clash played at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday.
The wasteful army side failed to convert the numerous chances they created during the match.
The Sabelo Mnisi-led charges had it tough despite the opposition’s travelling problems they encountered.
Resulted
Le Messenger looked like they had put their administrative problems aside which saw them arriving in two paltry groups, eventually resulting in the rescheduling of the match from Saturday to yesterday.
The visitors displayed tenacity against ‘Amathole Ezinyathi'.
The first half saw both teams coming hard at one another with the visitors threatening as early as the first minute through Ismae Nigizim’s effort which went straight into the hands of Buffaloes goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu. Marauding winger Fanelo 'Order ' Mamba should have done better eight minutes later when he ballooned his effort over the cross bar after receiving a Sandile 'Saviola' Gamedze pass.
Le Messanger again forced a fine save from Gwebu just before the first quarter mark with a rasping shot from the troublesome striker Ismael Nizigim.
Buffaloes target man Phiwa ‘S’lwabelwabe’ Dlamini missed the real chance of the opening half after receiving a neat pass from ‘Saviola’ during a break attack.
The match went to the break with the scoreline reading 0- 0.
The second half saw three Le Messenger players, who were grounded in Johannesburg making their way into the stands to cheer on their teammates.
The second stanza saw the visitors on the front foot as Akbar Muderi’s rasping 25 yards shot hit the cross bar with Nhlanhla Gwebu well beaten.
Buffaloes’ youngster Bongwa Matsebula saw his header miss the target by a whisker just before the hour after connecting a Fanelo 'Order ' Mamba weighted cross.
Buffaloes coach Mnisi made a double change, bringing in the experienced duo of Ndoda Mthethwa and Wandile 'Skosh' Shabangu for Phiwa Dlamini and Mpendulo ‘Mpetha’ Dlamini.
The changes nearly paid dividends in the 70th when Ndoda’s shot missed the target by a few inches after he timely connected a Bongwa dipping cross.
Tipped
Gwebu was forced to pull a brilliant one-hand save when he tipped over the bar a rasping shot from Frank Congera.
'Saviola' Gamedze nearly snatched a late winner for the home side a minute before full time but his header went over the bar.
Le Messenger finished the game with 10 men after defender Amini Abdoul was given a straight red card for demonstrating unsporting behaviour.
‘Amathole Ezinyathi’ will now have to pull an away victory in Bujumbura this coming weekend in order to advance to the next round.
share story
Post Your Comments Below
THE passing on of one of the country’s longest serving ministers of the Gospel has left the...
SOCCER - CAPITAL city side Mbabane Highlanders have announced the appointment of Milton Dlamini a...
Government has filed an urgent application at the High Court seeking an order reviewing and setti...
Church bodies and individuals have conveyed condolences on the demise of Reverend Dr Nicholas Tha...
All material © Swazi Observer. Material may not be published or reproduced in any form without prior written permission.
Design by Real Image Internet