Sad day as Swaziland’s Buffaloes’ cookie crumbles facing the Birds at Alexandra Stadium
ALEXANDRA – Young Buffaloes no match to Birds in the JM Busha Women's Soccer Tournament.
Bluebirds Ladies coach, Malvin Trynos Khumalo is a happy man after finally laying his hands on a trophy of a tournament he hosts and one that is sponsored by his own team sponsor.
Khumalo spoke to Alex News soon after clinching the championship of the second edition of the JM Busha Women’s Soccer Tournament after beating a determined Young Buffaloes from Manzini in Swaziland 5–4 on penalties at Alexandra Stadium.
“The fact that we had to go to penalties as a result of a misjudgement of the ball by the keeper is now immaterial. What remains is the fact that we’re now champions, regardless.”
Khumalo said the team had set themselves the target of winning the Sasol Women’s League by 2018. “But if that could come sooner rather than later, it would be a bonus that the team would cherish for a long time to come,” said the delighted Birds mentor. He also acknowledged that they were championship material.
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“If we can translate this form into the [Sasol] league which starts soon – the 2018 dream of winning the league could come sooner than expected. Everybody had a good game today, but Tshwarelo was amazing,” Khumalo said.
Captain Nyatama Mnguni, who had called on the fans at the launch of the tournament to come in their numbers and described them as a vital cog of a winning team, lauded the supporters for answering her call and coming to give them that winning edge.
Nonhlanhla ‘Gaddafi’ Mthandi, who also had a brilliant game, said they had planned and prepared well for this tournament. “I am happy that our hard work has borne fruit,” Mthandi said as she warned other teams in the league to ‘watch out’.
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Alex News’ player of the match, Tshwarelo, said it was a long way off but they looked forward to defending the JM Busha Trophy and anticipate making an impact this season in the Sasol League.
“We want to be the team to beat this time around in the Sasol League,” said Tshwarelo whose confidence was quite high in the game as she volunteered to take the first penalty.
Buffalo Soldiers coach, Simephi Mamba, who is a sister to her keeper, Nokwanda, said her team had come here to do business. “It’s a pity we did not win it despite our determination and resolve. But it’s football and this is the way the cookie crumbles.”
Send your congratulatory messages to Bluebirds on winning the JM Busha Women’s Soccer Tournament. WhatsApp your messages to 079 439 5345.
