Football

(At Mkhuzweni Technical Centre)

Leopard .....................0

Buffaloes ..................0

MKHUZWENI – It ended in a goalless draw as forceful rivals Royal Leopard and Young Buffaloes met in a fiercely contested MTN Premier League match yesterday.

Despite the chilly weather, a sizable crowd of spectators came to watch the first game of the 2025/26 MTN Premier League campaign, with former Buffaloes and now ZESCO United defender Lindo ‘Bhabhalazi’ Mkhonta among notable faces.

MTN Eswatini has pumped in a lucrative E22.5 million for a stipulated period of three years with E7 million allocated for this season.

Buffaloes’ tactician Dominic Kunene opted to parade his new troops, Mazwi Sihlongonyane and Phumlani ‘Bin’ Shongwe, as part of his trusted starting XI for this assignment.

It was so close yet so far for Ingwe mabalabala Captain Junior ‘Shisa Gesi’ Magagula as his beautiful header amounted to nothing in the 15^th minute. Meanwhile, Buffaloes forward Sandile ‘Magwegwe’ Mbingo could not evade the Leopard defence of Gift Gamedze and Mzwandile Mabelesa into 25 minutes, as he tried to slide a quirky shot.

Leopard midfielder Simanga Masangane had the technical bench and substitutes on their toes 10 minutes later, anticipating a goal.

Full article available in our publication.

Young Buffaloes midfielder Leon Manyisa (L) in control of the ball, while Royal Leopard centre-back Mzwandile Mabelesa closes in during their MTN Premier League fiercely­-contested goalless draw yesterday. (Pic: Ntombikayise Gwebu)