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BUFFALOES WIN MARATHON SHOOT-OUT TO REACH PLAY-OFFS FINAL

By Sibongiseni Zondi | 2018-07-22

Buffaloes: (0) 0

Pirates: (0) 0

Buffaloes win 7-6 on penalties

SOCCEr- Young Buffaloes saw off a resilient Moneni Pirates to eventually win on penalties and reach the final of the Eswatini Telecom Charity Cup play-offs yesterday at Mavuso Sports Centre. Buffaloes, SwaziBank Cup champions and runners-up in the MTN Premier League last season, were expected to dominate the semi-final against a Pirates side that brought only 14 players to the match yesterday.

But Pirates, under new coach Harries 'Madze' Bulunga, proved worthy of the challenge, matching Buffaloes pound for pound for 90 minutes.

But the army side did have the game's best chances. Midfielder Wandile Shabangu hit the crossbar with an effort from inside the box in the 13th minute, while playmaker Sandile Gamedze's header on the half hour mark was tipped over the crossbar by Pirates goalkeeper Siyabonga Zwane.

The match was goalless at the break and the second half proved much more closer as Pirates also created chances but failed to trouble Nhlanhla Gwebu in the Buffaloes goalkeeper. Not even the introduction of striker Ndoda Mtsetfwa could inspire Buffaloes, who continued to be frustrated in front of goal as the match ended goalless.

The penalty shoot-out had its own drama as 20 players took spot kicks. Pirates had the advantage on three occasions but failed to maximise it and eventually lost when new forward Bonkhe Myeza's kick was saved by Gwebu.

That save took Buffaloes to the playoff finals, where Green Mamba was waiting.

Buffaloes:

Gwebu, Mkhonta, Maseko, Mkhwanazi, Mamba, Ngwenya (Ndoda), Shabangu (Mhlanga), Mpendulo, Phiwa, Gamedze, Fanelo

Pirates:

Zwane, Vilakati, Motsa, Ginindza, Menzi, M. Dlamini, Mdlovu, Muhle, Myeza, Mlotsa (C. Dlamini), Mabuza

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