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‘BUFFS’ FACE AS VITA NEXT

07/12/2020 01:08:00 BY SANELE JELE

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BY NTOKOZO MAGONGO

Le Messager Ngozi…(1) 1

Hamza 36th

Young Buffaloes…....(1) 1

Wandile Maseko 35th

MBABANE – A lone strike by Wandile Maseko was enough to see Young Buffaloes through to the second round of the Total CAF Champions League preliminary round.

The army side settled for a 1-all draw against the Burundian side Le Messager Ngozi yesterday, going through to the second round on the away goal rule as they had earlier settled for a goalless draw here at home on November 28 at Mavuso Sports Centre in the first-leg tie.

lead

It was the Sabelo Mnisi led side that took the lead first through Maseko with only 10 minutes before the break. Buffaloes’ joy only lasted for a minute as Le Messager Ngozi were handed a penalty and which was coolly converted by Hamza, forcing the game to go for the break on a 1-all stalemate.

In the second half, Le Messager Ngozi who were formed in 2005, were pushing for the lead, but Buffaloes were able to defend well until the end of the game with experienced Nhlanhla Gwebu stopping everything that was thrown at him.

What also worked as an advantage to the MTN Premier League champions was playing in an artificial turf as they are used to it.

Buffaloes will now play AS Vita from Dr Congo in the second preliminary with the first leg billed for the weekend of December 22 and 23 with the second-leg early next year, January 5 and 6, 2021. The army side will play hosts first before travelling to the Central African Country.

AS Vita, where Green Mamba winger, Mthunzi Mkhontfo and Felix Badenhorst once plied their trade, have previously faced Malanti Chiefs in the CAF Confederation Cup. The Congolese side edged out the Pigg’s Peak based outfit over two legs.

Buffaloes Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sandile Gwebu said they had passed one hurdle, but there is still a challenge ahead before they can make it to the group stages.

“The first aim was to go through the second round and we have accomplished that. We are so happy, but we are not done yet as we are looking forward to our next challenge,” he said.