‘BUFFS’ PADDLE ACROSS THE ‘DEEP BLUE OCEAN’

My dearest readers ... In summarising the workmanship-like Young Buffaloes 2-0 defeat of conceited Matsapha United in the SwaziBank Cup final on Sunday, the immortal words of one of the greatest managers of his generation, former England’s Manchester United Scottish manager, Sir Alex Ferguson would be most appropriate.

“Football is a game of conviction as well as artistry. You can’t always entertain your way to glory.”
As exemplified by their Public Relations Officer (PRO) Sandile Gwebu in all press conferences from the last 16 draw, cool-as-cucumber, Young Buffaloes were not swayed by sound-bites and rhetoric by Matsapha United Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Victor ‘Mavikana’ Dlamini but they stuck to a proper game-plan and ensured in the end, football was the winner.

Granted, it was the most boring SwaziBank Cup in all previous 13 editions, and the eventual winners, the army side might not have played their best football too but they were focused, determined and took their chances well.

Just for sheer commitment, zeal and tenacity they deserved to finally end their bridesmaid tag after twice losing in the Cup finals of major knockout competitions. In the SwaziBank Cup final in 2014, ‘Amathole Ezinyathi’ meekly went down 3-1 to Royal Leopard and then just as recently as February 5, 2017, they lost – controversially so – 1-0 to Mbabane Swallows in the Ingwenyama Cup final.

They went home with broken hearts and cursing referee, Thulani Sibandze and second assistant referee, Phinda Ndzimandze for not awarding them a goal when Nhlanhla ‘Mshengu’ Kunene thought he had scored before Swallows Congolese midfielder Papy Kabamba cleared the ball presumably from the goal-line.

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