FOUR-MIDABLE WANDERERS PUT ‘BUFFS’ TO THE SWORD 17/02/2014 04:40:00BY DUMSANI NTIWANE MANZINI – In a drama-filled encounter, Manzini Wanderers notched up their eighth win of the season to move to the second spot of the MTN Premier League log table. Siphephelo Dlamini and second half substitute Sidumo Shongwe received straight red cards for causing an on field brawl before the two sets of players, which forced the police officers to rush into the scene to intervene. At the time, Wanderers were already leading 4-1 having done the business in the first half. They were leading 3-0 at half time to the delight of their victory-starved supporters who savoured every moment of the game. Coming from a humiliating 1-2 SwaziBank Cup defeat to minnows Amalanda two weeks ago, the ‘Weslians’ responded in a way that showed that they were a team with character, and that they should not be taken lightly in what promises to be an exciting title race. Tawanda Chikuku, Sandile ‘Theo’ Motsa who scored a brace and Sifiso Matse were marvellous going forward, and the back, Sanele Chauke, was rock solid, thwarting every attack by the opposition. The first goal came a dozen minutes from kick-off, when Tawanda picked Chauke with a well taken corner kick for the centre back to smash home with a header. ‘Theo’ nearly made it 2-0, but his well taken shot was saved to safety by Nhlanhla ‘Magatuka’ Dlamini. Two minutes later, the lanky midfielder-turned striker controlled outside the box, rolled the ball past the advancing goalkeeper to Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze who instead of attempting to score laid it for an unmarked Sifiso Matse to steer the ball into the empty net. Buffaloes’ defensive frailties were increasingly showing and three minutes after the half hour mark, ‘Theo’ controlled a lofted back that caught the back four flat footed. He then deftly picked his spot into top corner. For the army side it was Nhlanhla ‘Mshengu’ Kunene who came close to scoring in the first half, when he beat the defence to collect a lofted pass from a free kick by Mphile Tsabedze. He beat Nkomishi but Chauke reacted quickly to clear the danger from the goal line. Texan Phiri had to make three changes at the start of the second half, bringing on Sifiso Maseko, Wandile ‘Skosh’ Shabangu and Phiwa Dlamini for Timothy Mathonsi, Sebenele ‘Pienaar’ Dlamini and Mzwandile Nkonyane. The aim was to add more fire power upfront, but instead it was the maroon and white ensemble that increased their tally, as ‘Theo’ completed his brace. Tawanda threaded a pass on the path of Sifiso Matse who came face to face with Magatuka, but his shot was parried back to play, and ‘Theo’ artfully picked his spot to put the tie beyond the opposition reach, slightly over 10 minutes from the recess. Buffaloes never lost hope as they tried hard to pull one back, until six minutes after the hour mark, when Ndoda collected a pass inside the box, turned and blasted past ‘Nkomishi.’ Then came the near skirmish that ended with Siphephelo and Sidumo being red-carded by Thulani Sibandze who had a good game in office. The win was savoured the entire evening by the ‘Weslians’ who are now edging closer to the top of the table with two points behind leaders Royal Leopard who have a game in hand against defending champions, Mbabane Swallows. Buffaloes would have to recover quickly to face Swallows in another pending fixture slated for Wednesday night. TEAMS Wanderers: Nkomishi, Junior, Menzi, Kwere, Chauke, Shana, Tawanda, Vuyani (Sidumo), Theo, Papi (Maqhawe, Sifiso Buffaloes: Magatuka, Mndeni, Baiano, Djemba, Siphephelo, Mphile, Pienaar (Sifiso), Mzwandile (Skosh), Ndoda, Mshengu, Timothy (Phiwa) REFEREE: Thulani Sibandze ASSISTANTS: Celumusa Malinga, Sifiso Zondi MAN OF THE MATCH: There were a lot of candidates, but it has to be Sandile Theo Motsa who apart from playing his holding role upfront well, scored twice and provided one assists to cap an afternoon of good football. MOAN OF THE DAY: The flying tackles from Young Buffaloes which saw them penalised for fouls 16 times in the match. MISS OF THE DAY: For Nhlanhla Mshengu Kunene to beat the defence and face Nkomishi but failed to score should be by the player’s standard considered woeful. SHOT OF THE DAY: Ndoda Mthethwa’s goal was a result of a well taken shot by the striker who controlled, turned and shot into the roof of the net. GOAL OF THE DAY: Wanderers second goal by Sifiso Matse was a team goal, with Theo beating the defence laid a pass for Papi who then rolled the ball for an unmarked team mate to stab home at five yards out. WEATHER: Sunny and hot CROWD: About 1000
Posted on: Mon, 17 Feb 2014 06:42:54 +0000
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