BUFFS E100 000 ‘CARROT’ RICHER

MHLUME – It’s over and done – unbeaten Young Buffaloes are the MTN Premier League 2022/23 first rounds kings.

After going to their final first round match in a two-horse race with security forces rivals Green Mamba, who are second in the standings and Buffaloes the eventual winners as the race was concluded yesterday, Buffaloes, who stretched their unbeaten run to 31 from last season, were presented with the winners’ cheque of the E100 000 incentive prize.  Buffaloes, under the mentorship of Mandla ‘Stofu’ Dlamini, proved too much for rookies Seven Dreams when they netted three times to lift the cheque after the match.  All Buffaloes needed was a win or stand to lose the ‘carrot’ to Green Mamba, who went on and won 3-0 as well against Tambuti to keep the title race on ahead of the start of the second round next week. Only one point still stands between the two sides. It was two first half goals from Bongwa ‘Owa’ Matsebula, Ali Matse and then an own goal from Seven Dreams defender Siphamandla Nhlabatsi in the second half that did the trick for Buffaloes. Amathole Ezinyathi as the army team is also known dominated from the onset but had moments when they looked to be matched despite having scored via the boot of midfielder ‘Owa’.

His goal was only followed by a couple of minutes away from half-time. Matse was the scorer from a rebound ball after Seven Dreams goalkeeper Simiso Mabuza initial attempt to stop a deflected shot. Buffaloes put the final nail in the Zwelibandzi ‘Botsotso’ Khoza-coached side via an own goal that came from their captain, who saw an attempt to clear by a teammate come off him to land in his own net. The rookies were in the back foot in the opening stages with Buffaloes piling pressure for an early goal, the likes of Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze and ‘Owa’ seeing too much of the ball which caused problems for the opposition. ‘Owa’ broke the deadlock three minutes from the half-hour mark who finished off from a Kwakhe Tfwala curled set piece into the box. It was a deserved lead and it was no surprise when it was 2-0 before the break.

This time it was winger Ali Matse who took advantage of a parried shot by the goalkeeper, who denied Saviola only for the former to pick up the pieces and put it behind the net. It could have been worse as Buffaloes were comfortable without much threat but referee Mbongeni Shongwe blew his whistle for full-time, rescuing the minnows the pressure was too much from the relentless first round kings.

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