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TAMBUTI STUN PIRATES TO REACH LAST 8

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Pirates…................……. (0)0
Tambuti…................….. (0)0
(Tambuti win 5-4 after penalties)

LOBAMBA – Tambuti FC are fast becoming knockout specialists after reaching their second straight SwaziBank Cup quarter-final at the expense of hoodoo side, Moneni Pirates.


A penalty miss by slim-built midfielder Tawanda Chikuku during the ‘lottery’  proved costly for the 2015 champions, who had not lost to the Lubombo-based ensemble in five matches in all competitions. Following a feisty last 16 showdown, which ended goal-less after regulation time, the dreaded penalty shoot-out was needed to decide the winner at a rain-soaked Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday. With all first four spot kicks converted by both sets of players, Chikuku needed to score the last penalty, but it was not the case. All the physical Tambuti did was to throw more bodies in midfield and frustrated Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini’s troops from stringing their usual neat penetrative passes. Both goalkeepers were untroubled at the break.


The second half was more of a replica of the first, but Xolani ‘Messi’ Ngwenya’s effort from a free header, which went agonisingly wide just after the hour mark, headlined the hosts’ chances. Tambuti, led by the bulky Ugochukwu Ohakwe upfront, were still comfortable in keeping the back door shut to force the game into penalties. When the inevitable happened, Machawe Khumalo, Siboniso Ndzabandzaba, Roy Mamba, Ohakwe, and goalkeeper Thokozani Mkhulisi were on target from 12 yards. Pirates’ ‘dead rubber’ penalty kicks were converted by Mfanufikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze, Junior Magagula, Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane and Njabulo Shongwe.


For the second year running, the black and white ensemble failed to go past the first two hurdles after losing by 1-0 to Red Lions in the past year. Tambuti, who are fresh from the Ingwenyama Cup last four, are marching closer to their second straight semi-final appearance.

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