Africa-Press – Eswatini. Capital city giants Mbabane Swallows edged Young Buffaloes 5 – 4 on penalties to book their place in the Trade Fair Cup finals.
The two were playing at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday and Swallows came into the game with a 4-5-1 formation using Sandile Hlatjwako as top man, while on the other side Buffaloes came with a 4-4-2 formation with Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze and Njabulo Maziya as the striking pair.
In a game that began with a bit of tension as both clubs held their horses only to gain momentum in the 14th minute when Swallows’ Ncomo Gina could have taken the lead for them only to miss a God-send of a chance after a good cross from Sandile Hlatjwako.
Fresh from recovering from the attack by Swallows, Buffaloes had it hard when Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala came blazing only to run into the rock-solid Fanelo ‘Order’ Mamba, who brought him down next to box just 17 minutes into the game.
Buffaloes suffered a blow in the 34th minute when midfielder Bongiswa Dlamini was shown a straight red card after a harsh tackle to Sandile Hlatjwako, who was sprinting into the box.
The army side were forced to make a substitution, taking out Bandile Shabangu who was replaced by the tight-marking Siboniso Ngwenya. The first half went to the break in a stalemate.
Both teams came out looking sharp in the second half creating chances.
Young Buffaloes introduced Phiwayinkhosi ‘Slwabelwabe’ Dlamini in search for a goal but their efforts weren’t successful.
Seasoned striker Felix Badernhost took a long range shot outside the box just two minutes into the second half but denied by Buffaloes shot-stopper Mlungisi Nxumalo. Next was ‘Nunu’, who missed a chance in the dying minutes of the game after a successful dribble from outside the six area box
The game ended with nil- all draw going straight to penalties, and it was Swallows who emerged victorious with a 5 -4 score. Swallows shot stopper Qiniso Nyawo was the hero of the day, saving two penalties from Sihlangu Mkhwanazi and goalkeeper Mlungisi Nxumalo.
Swallows paraded new signing Tamuzi Aristote, who also missed a penalty on the day and will take on Green Mamba today at 3pm in the final.
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