PHIWA BRACE TAKES ‘BUFFS’ TO SEMIS

Y. Buffaloes.....................................3
Phiwa 22nd, 75th, Sandile 73rd
Midas City......................................2
Simanga 64th, 90th

LOBAMBA – Just like his name, Phiwayinkhosi Dlamini is simply a gift from God to Young Buffaloes.

The tall striker was once again in devastating form for his club in the spectacular SwaziBank Cup quarterfinal clash against Midas City.
This was at the Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday whereby Buffaloes got their revenge against Midas City with a deserved 3-2 win.
Phiwayinkhosi netted a brace to seal their place in the semi-finals slated for next weekend.

He did the same last weekend against Manzini Sea Birds in the MTN League and on both occasions new national team Sihlangu coach Pieter De Jongh watched him with a positive smile.
Against City, who were not as resilient as they were when they beat the same team 1-0 in the league two weeks back, the striker and his teammates were impressive. He was on target in the 22nd minute with a close range shot before calmly finishing off his brace in the 78th. His second goal had class written all over it.

The striker was picked by exciting midfielder and Man of the Match Sandile Gamedze unmarked on the left inside the box and he rounded the advancing keeper to score into an empty net.
He was denied a hat-trick when substitute strike partner Nhlanhla ‘Mshengu’ Kunene gave him a similar opportunity but this time the keeper blocked for a corner.

Interestingly, the man of the match Sandile was not just the provider for Phiwayinkhosi but he also beat the City keeper with a curled shot from inside the 18-area box to make it 2-1 as City had levelled matters to 1-all. Scoring for City was striker Simanga Shongwe in the 64th with a header from a Linda Mdluli set piece delivery before scoring his second right at the death in a goal-mouth scramble but it was a little too late as the referee blew the final whistle.
Meanwhile, there were also claims for a penalty by Buffaloes just after the hour mark when the ball twice came off defender Khetho Mkhontfo’s hand while desperately trying to clear inside the box.

However, the referee Mbongeni Shongwe was well positioned. He waved play on as that was ball to hand. Buffaloes had been the better team in the opening stages of the game with City contempt to let them come to their half and rely on counter-attacks.
The army side could have been ahead two minutes into the game but striker Ndoda Mthethwa saw his one-on-one effort well punched out by City’s keeper Machawe Mamba for a fruitless corner.

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