IT’S MAKE OR BREAK FOR ‘BUFFS’

(Courtesy
of SwaziBank)

MBABANE – The first leg, played slightly over a week ago at Somhlolo National Stadium, did not favour the home side despite a gallant performance – the visiting Cape Town City managed to scrape past with a 1-0 win.

Tonight, Coach Benni McCarthy’s Citizens, as they are fondly known, will look to score early and then settle down as they have that away goal win.
McCarthy has made it clear they will give this competition a ‘full go’, as his mandate from owner John Comitis is to reach the final. Never mind that this is their maiden CAF participation.

They have started their mission on a positive note but they know Buffaloes also want to overturn the scoreline and further advance to the first round.
At least close to 1 000 Swazi fans accompanied them so they would not feel so out and alone before the dominant South Africans expected to cram their stands. The first leg analysis was that Cape Town City can be beaten away, especially if Buffaloes maintain their display and fix their finishing.

As Swazis, our prayers are with the army side which carries the Swazi flag in Cape Town right now and set to fight for it at 7:30pm. They have the quality to fight off Cape Town City despite the two teams playing in two different leagues in terms of standard and professionalism.

McCarthy obviously leads a rich side in terms of quality but some fans have criticised him for his selection, which saw big names benched in preference to youngsters in both the first leg and the Kaizer Chiefs Absa Premiership 1-0 defeat on Saturday night.

He has players like Ayanda Patosi, who fans have said must be played as an experienced player as opposed to the youngsters, Captain Robyn Johannes, Lyle Lakay, Thami Mkhize and Matthew Rusike among others. Buffaloes will have the likes of strikers Ndoda Mthethwa, Phiwa Dlamini, midfielder Sifiso Mazibuko, Mphile Tsabedze and Sandile Gamedze to rely on, while Nhlanhla Gwebu tries to keep a clean sheet in their goal.
It’s a game Buffaloes can win if Cape Town will perform as badly as they did against Soweto giants Kaizer Chiefs over the weekend.

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