TAMBUTI HOLD BUFFALOES

Sports Editor
(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
Young Buffaloes............(1) 3,
Saviola 20th, 51st, Phiwa 89th
Tambuti FC...................(1) 3,
Kangumbu 22nd, 85th, Mcondisi 90+2

MANZINI – A referee’s optional time equaliser by Tambuti FC nippy midfielder Mcondisi Nxumalo left Young Buffaloes red-faced here yesterday.

From 15 yards out, the gifted midfielder’s shot deflected on the knee of defender Wandile Maseko, beating goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu with literally 60 seconds left in the added three minutes of referee Celumusa Siphepho’s optional time. Buffaloes thought they had snatched all three points after lanky striker Phiwa Dlamini headed a Sihlangu Mkhwanazi cross a minute before full-time.

Lead

The army side had twice taken the lead but only for the stubborn and never-say-die Tambuti FC to fight their way back in extra-ordinary circumstances. It was the enterprising Congolese midfielder Reagan Kangumbu, deemed surplus to requirements at Denver Sundowns, whose two well struck free kicks took the wind off Buffaloes sails.

The crippling 3-all draw cut Buffaloes lead to just three points with three games remaining before the curtain falls down on an energy-sapping and intriguing MTN league first round title race. MTN league leading sharp shooter Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze, whose brace here took his tally to 11 goals, had given the army side the lead in the 20th minute when he headed in a Wandile Maseko cross.

Then two minutes later, Kangumbu embarrassed goalkeeper Nhlanhla Gwebu with a ground shot, which slipped in-between his legs into the net. Again, ‘Saviola’, the national team talisman, put Buffaloes ahead in the 51st minute with another glancing header from a Lindo Mkhonta cross. But Tambuti, who pressed Buffaloes high, were awarded a free kick 25 yards out five minutes from time.

Up stepped the marauding Kangumbu, who let fly a sensational free kick which would have left even the mercurial former Orlando Pirates dead-ball specialist Steve Lekoelea at his prime green with envy. What a free kick. 

Then with a minute before full-time, Buffaloes thought they had bagged all three points when Phiwa Dlamini powered a header home from Sihlangu Mkhwanazi’s inviting cross from the right flank, leaving Tambuti FC goalkeeper Thubelihle Dlamini looking like a newly-born kitten.

Buffaloes celebrations were cut shot a minute before the end of the added three minutes when Mcondisi Nxumalo’s meek shot deflected off the knee of defender Maseko, side-footing goalkeeper Gwebu who watched helplessly in agony as the ball sailed into the net.

It was a sucker punch. But in total value, in respect to the league first round title race, it was priceless to say the least. It must have been celebrated more in Mbabane, Moneni and Matsapha Police College than the motley group of the travelling 30 or 31 Tambuti FC fans who danced all the way back home.

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