By Lwazi Dlamini
(At Mhlume Stadium)
Young Buffaloes are the 2022/2023 MTN League first-round champions!
The army side brushed aside bottom-loggers Seven Dreams 3-0 in a one-sided MTN league clash to ensure they finished the league opening round unbeaten.
The nearest challengers Green Mamba beat Tambuti FC 2-0 but ended with the wooden part of the spoon as they remain a point behind the army side.
Buffaloes opened their scoring account in the 29th minute when Bongwa ‘Owa’ Matsebula finished off unmarked inside the box. Then on the stroke of half-time, here at the sweltering sugar belt, Ali Matse finished off at the near post a Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze cross.
Then two minutes after the hour mark, substitute Menzi Shabangu finished after hesitant defending from the struggling Seven Dreams who remain rooted at the foot of the table.
At the Prince of Wales Sports ground, Manzini Wanderers continued with their revival, beating Denver Sundowns 1-0 to move to the tenth spot on the log standings.
The ‘Weslians’ who were staring relegation in the face, have now won two games in a row and three in total. Mbabane Swallows talisman Felix ‘Fela’ Badenhorst netted his tenth goal of the season to topple Madlenya’s Njabulo Maziya who has nine goals and was on the losing side in today’s clash with the ‘Birds’.
Tomorrow, a doubleheader is set for Mavuso Sports Centre where Moneni Pirates face Manzini Sea Birds while Mbabane Highlanders will attempt to stop a six-year jinx against Royal Leopard.
Down in Nhlangano, struggling Nsingizini Hotspurs, who are winless in four games, will face another struggling side in Tambankulu Callies.
FULL RESULTS:
Young Buffaloes 3 Seven Dreams 0
Manzini Wanderers 1 Denver Sundowns 0
Mbabane Swallows 1 Madlenya 0
Green Mamba 2 Tambuti 0
