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PHIWA SINKS LEOPARD AS ‘BUFFS’ MARCH TO SEMIS

07/04/2018 23:43:00 BY CHRIS DLAMINI

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Y. Buffaloes ..............1
Phiwa 57th
Leopard ....................0

LOBAMBA – A lone strike by Phiwa Dlamini was the difference in yesterday’s SwaziBank Cup quarter-final forces derby at Somhlolo National Stadium.

With the game a sleep-inducing one, nothing close to the fast-flowing Green Mamba and Malanti Chiefs clash earlier on, it was clear whoever scores would win.

Dlamini broke the deadlock in the 57th minute after coming face to face with the Leopard goalkeeper Phephisani Msibi. He beat him with a powerful shot after a nice flick on by winger Fanelo Mamba set him one on one with the defence well beaten to it.
Otherwise, it had been a very boring match as both sides played with too much caution such that there were very few scoring chances in the entire match, especially in the first half.

Buffaloes had got the best chance of the first half in the 39th but a sliding Phiwa, who was beaten by his teammate defender Sihlangu Mkhwanazi to the man of the match award, ran inches short of connecting with the cross by Mamba.

conceding

The second half was slightly better with Buffaloes pressing while Leopard could have equalised a few minutes after conceding but winger Bonginkosi Dlamini saw his effort into the far post roll inches wide of the target with goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu beaten.
Gwebu made only one save from a Zweli ‘Mlilo’ free kick and was never troubled again. It got a little busier for Leopard’s defence after going down and taking out strikers Barry Steenkamp and Bonginkosi about 20 minutes from time.

However, there were to be no more goals on the day and it was Buffaloes going through to the semi-finals, joining Green Mamba.
Buffaloes, who are the defending champions, also avenged their Ingwenyama Cup 2018 semi-final 2-1 defeat at the hands of Leopard who were beaten by Mbabane Swallows in the final.

They now await the last two semi-finalists from today’s epic fixtures pitting Manzini Wanderers against Manzini Sundowns as well as Mbabane Highlanders against Matsapha United this afternoon.

Meanwhile, a moment of silence was observed ahead of the games’ kick-off in honour of the late FA Executive Committee member and Referees Committee Chairman Phillip ‘Big Daddy’ Dlamini, who was laid to rest this morning. The semi-final draw will be done tomorrow at 8am.