Home | Sports | WASTEFUL PIRATES FRUSTRATE ‘BUFFS’

WASTEFUL PIRATES FRUSTRATE ‘BUFFS’

05/12/2022 07:15:00 Pholisile Hlophe

Font size:

MANZINI – Lady luck shunned Moneni Pirates and denied them victory over Young Buffaloes, as the two sides settled for a goalless draw yesterday afternoon at Mavuso Sports Centre.

In the past seven meetings, the Buccaneers of Moneni registered one win and that was a 2-0 victory in last season’s first round. A win yesterday would have been sweet revenge for Pirates who suffered a 0-5 thrashing by the army side in the second round clash last season.

Moneni Pirates went into the game as underdogs with only six points in the bag, while leaders Buffaloes had 17 points. Pirates went all out to redeem themselves after last week’s 0-1 defeat by newcomers Nsingizini Hotspurs.
In the absence of injured Buffaloes’ marksman and last season’s top goalscorer, Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze, Pirates lived to regret their wasted chances despite their remarkable short passes which met a resistant defence on the opposite end.

Senele Nkambule’s effort within range nearly wounded Buffaloes, thanks to goalkeeper Bhekisisa Dlamini who saved the day in the 38th minute. Pirates were under attack in the second-half as Buffaloes threatened to prove their dominance. Three rebounds by Buffaloes players within the box brought out the best out of Pirates goalkeeper Dlamini who blocked three traumatic shots after the 80th minute. Buffaloes lived dangerously at some point but the alert goalkeeper kept them at bay.

Pirates remained with 10 men in the field but this was a short-lived advantage for Buffaloes who were forced to substitute their goalkeeper with an infield player, Kwakhe Tfwala, as they had exhausted their four substitutes as per the rules of the game. Both teams failed to pull one back in full time and six minutes added time, thus settled for a goalless draw. With Mbabane Swallows suffering a shock loss to Nsingizini Hotspurs, Buffaloes remained at the summit of the charts.