BUFFALOES HAVE ONE HAND ON THE 1ST ROUND CHEQUE

My dearest readers.. If the word ‘Exciting’ had not existed, the 2015/16 MTN league would have invented it.

Not only have we had some utterly shocking results where teams like Midas City have consistently defied the odds, a glut of wondrous goals, but we have had a team like Young Buffaloes who have led from day one and remain unbeaten in nine games. With the ‘carrot’ of the E300 000 first prize, the army side have been at their buccaneering best, crushing everything before them to win eight of the nine games played thus far and recording only one draw.

The 24 points they have amassed have left them enjoying a four-point lead over nearest challengers Mbabane Highlanders, who themselves have been in scintillating form. Even the absence of the towering coach could not stop ‘Amathole Ezinyathi’  steam-rolling over bottom loggers Malanti Chiefs 3-1 on Saturday at Somhlolo National Stadium to literally put one hand on the first round E300 000 cheque.
One does not need to be a rocket scientist to deduce that the first round cheque of E300 000 is for Buffaloes to lose. The four-point lead only means they need to get three points in the last two games against free-scoring Mbabane Swallows and Royal Leopard to clinch the first round prize.

A win against the high flying ‘Birds’, who have netted an incredible 12 gaoals in two games, in the next league will confirm the army side as first round champions. And boy, they have indeed looked the part. Their terrier-like performance is reminiscent of the 2009/10 season when they clinched their first league trophy as they look a team near-perfect harmony, passing with effortless tempo, anchored by a rock-solid defence and attacking with verve and flair.
Their performances have been so sweet, coach, Zenzele ‘Ace’ Dlamini, the conductor, has been able to sit back and purr with admiration at his side’s insatiable appetite for victory.

Perhaps, the army side, not being the most popular side in the league, have not got the attention or being given the praise they do richly deserve. It’s not every season where a team will win eight out of nine games; play one draw and not suffer a single defeat.
The gold and maroon outfit has done it. It will now take something out of the extraordinary to deny them a place on a trophy podium when the first round curtain falls down in three week’s time. Yes, Mbabane Highlanders have all the right to believe they can steal it from Buffaloes’ grasp as anything can happen in the army side’s last two games against title chasing sides, Swallows and Leopard.

But in my heart of hearts, it does feel like looking for that pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Perhaps the positive aspect for Highlanders is that inspite of all the administration problems that have afflicted the team this season, they have done the business on the field.

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