Home | Sports | BUFFS BEAT CITY, JUMP TO THE TOP

BUFFS BEAT CITY, JUMP TO THE TOP

16/09/2017 15:05:00 BY CHRIS DLAMINI

Font size:

Midas City................... (1) 1
Thando 41st
Y. Buffaloes................. (0) 2
Phiwa 69th, Sandile 79th

LOBAMBA – They went in front again, let it slip and lost the game. That is the sad story of Midas Mbabane City last night at the Somhlolo National Stadium.

For the second week running, City were ahead at half time until the 69th minute when their rivals Young Buffaloes levelled matters through a wasteful Phiwa Dlamini on the night.

At the time he scored, their handful supporters were already calling for his substitution as the captain yesterday missed a lot of chances including two first clear-cut in the opening stages.

However, he restored parity when he scored from close range after a failed clearance before he was rested for Nhlanhla ‘Mshengu’ Kunene. Unconvincing Buffaloes still dominated play but were terrible in front of goal.

Nonetheless, City being the small team they are and in a rebuilding exercise after losing more than half of last season’s players, eventually succumbed to the pressure as Sandile Gamedze won the match for them with a 79th minute headed goal from a Wandile Shabangu cross.

After a 1-all draw with champions Mbabane Swallows last Sunday, Buffaloes certainly wanted the maximum points and on paper, they already had bagged them.

However, City who lost 2-3 to returning Malanti Chiefs last week after leading 2-0, were not about to give away points.
They ever defended resolutely and certainly had a game plan - contain them and strike on the counter.

It was all a well hatched plan as they frustrated Buffaloes, last season’s runners-up until the 69th minute.
This was before the lowest crowd of less than 100 since the MTN Premier League started last Friday night.
The win handed Buffaloes their first three points and now have four which temporarily puts them top of the log table as more games are billed for today and tomorrow.