Times Of Swaziland: TRIPLE DELIGHT FOR ‘BUFFS’ TRIPLE DELIGHT FOR ‘BUFFS’ ================================================================================ BY ASHMOND NZIMA on 06/05/2019 09:16:00 (At Somhlolo National Stadium) Leopard………… (0)0 Buffaloes……….. (0)1 Sandile 77th LOBAMBA – Hail history-makers! Young Buffaloes are the first team to win the EswatiniBank Cup three times in a row since the launch of the prestigious tournament in 2004. A lone second half strike by talisman Sandile Gamedze proved to be the difference, as Dominic Kunene’s troops managed to grind the big win on the road to claim the E1.1 million carrot, as well as a ticket to the CAF Confederation Cup later this year. They did not play their best game, but still had the verve to avenge the 1-3 loss suffered in the 2014 decider. Buffaloes are this season’s money-makers after winning E1.3 million on March 17 in the Ingwenyama Cup final and are in a race for a top three finish in the league. They are guaranteed a minimum E3 million at the end of the season, following a dominant display. heartbreak For Leopard, it was heartbreak, as coach Edwin Matsebula missed out on winning his first trophy in top flight football. Upfront, the coach had started with Cameroon-born import Charles Endo-Nga ahead of marksman Barry Steenkamp. They gave a good account of themselves, especially in the first half, but ended with the wooden part of the spoon before His Majesty King Mswati III and about 5 000 spectators at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday. Like in previous match-ups, it proved to be another tightly-contested showdown and emotions were all over the place. It needed one moment to decide it. Throw-ball specialist Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba sank the ball into the danger area, with Wandile Maseko flicking it for Gamedze, who headed it home with a neat header in a crowded box 13 minutes from time. Lanky forward Phiwa Dlamini was guilty of missing most of Buffaloes’ chances during the early exchanges, and at some point he could not wrap his foot around the ball after he was set up by Wandile ‘Skosh’ Shabangu. Leopard’s best chance of the opening period fell on the path of Lungelo Tsabedze, who brought the best out of Nhlanhla Gwebu with a delightful effort in the box. He had managed to squeeze the ball past a forest of legs, only to be denied by the former Sihlangu shot-stopper on the half hour mark. Both goalkeepers were untroubled during the interval, with the teams’ total shots on targets less than half a dozen when veteran referee Mbongiseni Fakudze signalled for the breather. On resumption of play, Buffaloes had perfected their transition play, and Gamedze, who is undoubtedly a contender for player of the series award, eventually came out of his shell. ‘Order’ and substitute Mpendulo ‘Mpetha’ Dlamini also gave his side more attacking options while Siboniso Mamba stood out like a sore thumb at the back. Leopard had tried to find the breakthrough in the 47th minute in a scramble, but Siboniso Ngwenya put his body in the line to foil a close-range attempt by Sikhumbuzo Magagula. attack After the hour mark, Leopard had tried to throw everything into attack, as they eventually introduced Barry alongside the speedy Bonginkhosi ‘Manyovu’ Dlamini. However, they still played out of character while Buffaloes had upped the tempo. Just when everyone thought the game would be decided after extra time, Sandile eventually made the difference with the sucker punch and almost celebrated a double in the 88th minute, as he stung Phephisani Msibi’s gloves with a hard shot from close range. It was the last throw of the dice, as Buffaloes eventually tightened their grip on the trophy. For Leopard, the E500 000 runners-up prize will be consolation, but they still have a chance to win the league, as they are currently four points clear at the top.