Swazi Observer

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â€˜BUFFSâ€™ BITE THE DUST

By Sabelo Gwebu | 2018-12-06

Buffaloes……. (0)2

Eagles……….. (3)3

Eagles progress 5-2 on aggregate

SOCCER – YOUNG Buffaloes have followed Mbabane Swallows on the exit door in the CAF inter-club tournaments.

Despite a spirited second half showing, the army side were brushed aside 3-2 and 5-2 on aggregate by visiting Zambia’s Green Eagles yesterday afternoon at Mavuso Sports Centre.

Again, for the second year on the trot Buffaloes are out of the CAF Confederation Cup in just the first hurdle. It was always going to be difficult for the army side following the first leg 0-2 defeat away in Choma a week ago but in all honesty, they have themselves to blame.

Buffaloes gave this one away. They waited for Green Eagles to inflict the damage first in the second leg tie played at Mavuso Sports Centre before reacting in the last 45 minutes.

Eagles scored three first half goals under the scorching heat thanks to a brace from Anos Tembo and another from Ceaser Hakaluba on either side of that. Tembo opened the scorers’ chart with Eagles’ first attempt on target after 10 minutes after Buffaloes failed to clear their lines.

Two minutes later, Eagles were two up, this time Hakaluba headed on the blind side after getting away from his man.

Three minutes before the hour mark, Tembo was back on the score sheet, blasting home a Hakaluba low cross.

After the breather, Buffaloes emerged from the tunnel a changed side, more aggressive and pinned their opponents in their own half. This is exactly how they were supposed to start the game.

Two minutes after recess, the host were awarded a penalty after a goal bound shot from man-of-the-match Wandile ‘Skosh’ Shabangu was handled.

Bulky striker Phiwa Dlamini stepped up to convert.

Phiwa was back in the 77th minute to score Buffaloes second, completing his brace, sending a dummy before unleashing an unstoppable left-footer that gave the impressive Justin Munyikwa no chance at the Eagles sticks.

Buffaloes are out after this result, losing 5-2 on aggregate.

TEAMS

Buffaloes: Nhlanhla, Lindo (Banele 47th), Wandile, Sihlangu, ‘Sithobela’, ‘Gaxa’, Ali (Ndoda 47th), ‘Skosh’, Phiwa, Sandile (Sanele 70th), ‘Order’

Eagles: Munyikwa, Manyepa (Chalopa 49th), Mulenga, Kunda, Wamandila, Hakaluba, Sanyu, Chilupe (Sunzu 81st), Mwamba, Tembo, Majongo (Mwenya 67th)

Yellow card: Wandile Maseko, Lindo Mkhonta, Phiwa Dlamini, Fanelo Mamba (all Buffaloes), Spencer Sanyu (Eagles)

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