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BUFFALOES WIN TELECOM CHARITY CUP PLAY-OFFS

By Sibusiso Dlamini | 2018-07-22

Young Buffaloes (0)0

Green Mamba (0)0

Buffaloes won 4-2 after penalties

SOCCER Army side Young Buffaloes have won the Eswatini Telecom Charity Cup play-offs to book their spot in the finals of the 2018 Eswatini Telecom Charity Cup.

This was after the team managed to beat Green Mamba 4-3 on penalties at the Mavuso Sports Centre last night.

It was celebrations for the coach Dominic Kunene-led side after striker Phiwa Dlamini sent Thokozani Mkhulisi the wrong direction, ensuring that Amathole Ezinyathi joins the country’s big three teams during the main day of the soccer spectacular at the Somhlolo National Stadium on August 5.

The match started off with both teams taking a rather lukewarm approach to the match, and none of them were able to create clear cut chances.

Young Buffaloes came agonisingly close in the 31st minute as Fanelo 'Order' Mamba made a daring run on the left flank and Phiwa tried to finish it off, but Mphumuzi Ginindza was quick to react and blocked the ball before it could make damage.

The match went into the break at 0-0.

After the recess, the Correctional services side came back stronger.

Muhle Shiba and Banele Mdluli also came close, but Nhlanhla Gwebu was up to the task.

The match turned to be rather physical and none of them could rattle the net until the lottery shootouts.

The teams

Buffaloes

Nhlanhla Gwebu, Lindo Mkhonto, Wandile Maseko, Sihlangu Mkhwanazi, Siboniso Mamba, Nkosingphile Tsabedze, Wandile Shabangu, Mpendulo Dlamini (Sanele Ngcamphalala), Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini Sandile, Fanelo (Banele Mkhabela)

Green Mamba

Thokozani Mkhulisi, Thabo Mngometulu, Mphumuzi Ginindza, Sanele Thsawuka, Banele Dlamini (Siyabonga Mdluli), Mxolisi, M Mkhontfo, Njabulo Tfwala (Phinda Dlamini) Linda Nkambule (Muhle Shiba), Solomon Oladele

Dominic impressed with his defence

SOCCER – Young Buffaloes coach Dominic Kunene says he is impressed by the team's defence, stating that the team will have a good season if they keep their dedication and character they showed yesterday at the Mavuso Sports Centre.

The coach said this after his team won the Eswatini Telecom Charity Cup play-offs, winning 4-2 on penalties against fellow security-forces side Green Mamba.

"I am pleased with the performance today. We did not concede any goals, which prove that we are building.

Now, we are clear with the fact that we have a water-tight defence, so all we have to do now is work on the goals," he said.

Kunene further added that he was ready for any team, but was quick to point out that he wouldn't put his charges under unnecessary pressure.

"There's no team in the big three that we haven't faced before. We are ready to face any of them. What we must be wary of however is putting the boys under unnecessary pressure, such that they get their spirit dampened before the season even officially kicks-off," he concluded.

Meanwhile, his Green Mamba counterpart, Caleb Ngwenya said albeit, the fact that they were on the losing side, he was taking positives.

"There's a lot that we did well and I think we should just focus. We will take those positives and build from them. I think we are coming along just fine, it's a matter of a few tweaks here and there, “he said.

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