adminHE left for Zimbabwe a fortnight ago at the beginning of the FIFA Week and was due back after just five days but today it has been 12 days, former Warriors assistant coach Saul Chaminuka seems still holed up at his farm outside Chichi.
When his Swazi football home, Matsapha United took to the field of play against Young Buffaloes last Saturday at Mavuso Sports Centre his absence took away some glamour leading to an April replica 0-2 defeat.
Though officially it was referred to as an administrative issue, Chaminuka however said developments in Zimbabwe had forced him to stay on with a watchful eye over his family for security reasons.
a�?When I came home everything was still fine in Zimbabwe but recent developments have forced me to consider my family first and once everything is certain by Friday I will travel to Swaziland. I love and miss Matsapha United,a�? said Chaminuka from Chichi.
On the field of play, beautiful soccer and play dominance sometimes does not win you a match but goals do.
This was the most painful and cruel fact as Young Buffaloes gored Matsapha United again in this MTN Premier League of Swaziland Week 13 match played at
Mavuso Sports Centre on Saturday afternoon.
As if not enough a headache, Matsapha United had to pull out Sphamandla Dhlamini from the starting line up for Dennis Masina after a mix-up saw his playera��s licence missing during inspection but was to feature as a second half substitution for Masina after getting his card at half time.
But just like they did in the SwaziBank Cup final on 30 April at Somhlolo National Stadium, Buffaloes scored two with Phiwayinkosi Dlamini making it two goals in two matches in the Deep Blue Ocean as the army outfit became only the first Swazi team to beat Matsapha United twice since birth.
And yet another striking coincidence, in both the two matches between the sides, there was a goal in the 37th minute, a Dlamini winner seven months ago and a Banele Mkhabela opener on Saturday before a rather paltry crowd.
Despite dominating ball possession with 52 percent, Matsapha United saw Dennis Masina, Mthobisi Mdluli and Mthobisi Mngometulu come on one on one with former Sihlangu first choice Nhlanhla Gwebu who sweated to smother their efforts.
LikeA� lightning from the blue skies Buffaloes won a corner whose flight from near flank ghosted in eluding defenders and goalkeeper Mxolisi Dlamini to land squarely and perfectly onto the head of flight mode Mkhabela for the opener in the 37th minute.
After the breather, stand-in coach, Zwelibandzi Bhotsotso Khoza pulled out clearly jaded Masina for Dhlamini and this took the visitors a gear up and further enhanced by Nkosinamandla Nkambulea��s return entry for Ayanda Gamedze but still the equaliser proved elusive.
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Online Reporter