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‘BUFFS’ LADIES REMAIN INVINCIBLE

29/03/2023 08:27:00 Mengameli Mabuza

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MBABANE – Defending Eswatini Women Football League champions Young Buffaloes continued dominating the league heading into a one-week break after a tough and gruelling first round.

“We commend teams for pushing throughout the first round. They conducted themselves well; there were no cases, which is highly appreciated. With the second round set to return next week, the expectation is to see an increase in competition given that the first round is over and the teams know their strengths and their weaknesses. They can capitalise on that. Also, we are expecting to have more sponsors joining the women football community and knockout,” said Ntandoyenkosi Hlatjwayo, who is the Chief Operations Officer (COO).
The Times Desk highlights some of the things noted in the first leg of the season.

Young Buffaloes cruising

The Buffaloes Ladies, under the tutelage of Coach Fisiwe Hlophe, are causing havoc in the league once again. The army side are the only team yet to suffer defeat in the league and have been freely scoring goals. The ladies have scored a record of 118 goals from just 12 games played and goalkeeper Sukoluhle Sibandze has conceded just two goals. Two teams in the league have been fortunate to score past the strong Buffaloes side. These are Manzini Wanderers and Royal Leopard. The Hlophe-led team is currently on top of the standings with 36 points and 11 points ahead of second-placed Mbabane Swallows. They comfortably defeated the latter 4-0 in a game that was played at Eqinisweni Sports Ground earlier this month.
“I’m happy we finished the first round unbeaten and I’m really proud of my players for the effort they are putting in training and in our games. It is not easy to play and win while we are not training as a team but they always keep on fighting as a team,” said Buffaloes Ladies Coach Fisiwe.

Youthful Nsingizini impress

The youthful squad of Nsingizini has been one of the teams to watch this season. The new team took over Kappa Kappa Ladies after the club licensing requirements in which every team is obligated to have a ladies team. Currently sitting on the third place position with 22 points, the team boasts eight players representing the team for the upcoming COSAFA Under-20 Women Championship scheduled for April 20 in Port Elizabeth in South Africa. The new team has claimed some big scalps in their first season that includes wins against Royal Leopard, Green Mamba and Southern Divas.

Big Bend Ladies struggling

The Big Bend ladies are currently enduring the worst season ever witnessed in the league. The side is currently the only team in the league yet to register a win and on top of finding the back of the net. The ladies will be hoping for a better showing in the second round, which returns next week after conceding 142 goals in just 12 games in the league.

Trophy for Green Mamba

Green Mamba Ladies were able to reign supreme in the Cervical Cancer Ladies Seven-Aside One Day Tournament when they edged Nsingizini Ladies 1-0 in the final. A solitary goal by Tibonile Dlamini was enough to seal victory for the Correctional Services side. This was during the collaboration between Eswatini Women’s Football Association (EWFA) with Eswatini National Cancer Control Unit whereby they organised the tournament and themed it ‘kick away cancer’. It was aimed at creating awareness to the nation about the different kinds of cancer that exist. On the day, the Green Mamba ladies under the tutelage of legendary football player Maxwell ‘King Dunga’ Zikalala proved too strong on the day and received a champion’s trophy.

Swallows challenging ‘Buffs’

The Aaron ‘Katalala’ Mavimbela side are looking like the only team that will be trying to challenge run away leaders Young Buffaloes for the EWFA league, come at the end of the season. The red and white capital outfit is 11 points adrift of Buffaloes and has shown glimpse of inconsistency, especially in games they were expected to win .They drew 2-all with archrivals Manzini at the Prince of Wales Sports Ground in a game they should have comfortably won, with the Mavimbela side leading 2-0 with just 15 minutes played.

Celiwe ‘Cece’ Nkambule a ‘GOAT’

Young Buffaloes attacking forward proved that last season’s showing was not a fluke after being the WFL top goal scorer with a mind-blowing 76 goals. The former Manzini Wanderers form continues even this season. The greatest of all time (GOAT) of Women’s football is leading the scoring chats with a remarkable 40 goals in just 12 games that she has played. One of the unbelievable moments from the pacey Sitsebe Samhlekazi striker this season was when she faced rookies Roses in a 21-0 huge win for her side. ‘Cece’ did not show any mercy for Roses scoring 11 goals in a match that played at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium. The league has quite entertained the few football lovers who have been watching the games closely.