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UP THE ‘BIRDS’... ER ‘BUCS’ AS ‘BUFFS’ LOSE

31/01/2018 00:54:00 BY SANELE JELE

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(At Somhlolo National Stadium)
Young Buffaloes............(0)0
Moneni Pirates..............(1)0
Fanelo 25th

LOBAMBA –MTN League defending champions Mbabane Swallows were the biggest winners here last night without even kicking a ball.

Moneni Pirates’ Fanelo scored the winner in the 25th minute, which was celebrated wildly in the capital city as nearest title challengers Young Buffaloes lost ground in the fierce league title chase after suffering their second defeat of the season, leaving log leaders Swallows three points clear at the top with a game in hand.

The ‘Birds’ could go six points clear at the summit of the log with six games remaining if they beat inconsistent Manzini Wanderers for the second time in three weeks tonight at Somhlolo National Stadium.
Pirates’ Fanelo Mamba unleashed a powerful shot from close range to beat Buffaloes goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu across the goalposts in 25 minutes.

The tight contest was punctuated with stops as the game was physical.
The army side tried to penetrate the opposition defence but the Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane well marshalled defence kept their back door shut.

The game went into the breather with the visitors leading 1-0.
The Dominic Kunene-led side introduced Ndoda Mthethwa for Banele Mkhabela and Bongani Mhlanga for Nhlanhla Kunene in the second half, while Pirates brought in former Manzini Wandereres midfielder Tawanda Chikuku for Nhlanhla Nkosi.

Former Royal Leopard striker Muhle Dlamini almost doubled matters for the visitors had his execution being perfect with Gwebu way out of his goalposts,instead his shot from 40 yards went over the bar.

The hosts almost levelled matters but Pirates’s goalkeeper Siyabonga Zwane parried a curling shot from Nkosingiphile ‘Nyandoro’ Tsabedze in the 85th Zwane was forced into another save in the 88th minute from Buffaloes forward Bongani Mhlanga.