Malanti Chiefs 1-0 Tinyosi
Young Buffaloes 3-2 Royal Leopards
They had probably forgotten how a cup semi-final feels but for this crop of resilient Malanti Chiefs players they will thank an Asive Langwe strike three minutes into the extra time in this first SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup quarter final played at Somhlolo National Stadium on Saturday against Tinyosi assured a first semi-final participation in five years.
Though the tie was a mere huff and puff as both struggled to entertain the fans on the terraces with sublime creativity, urgency had to push for that in the extended half an hour of action as they had to be winner.
With Tinyosi probably settling down for the extra time, out of the blue, Langwe ghosted in to finish off an inch perfect and custom designed cross by Sandile Mazibuko and this took away any last leg remaining.
And all the goal did was to traffic the Piggs Peak based Raymond Dlamini coached outfit to the last with a huge and sound sigh of relief given perennial heartbreaking Cup failures in those five years in which they would crumble at the opening two stages of the tournaments.
After two hours of action, matters had been settled paving way for a livelier pair of Young Buffaloes the already eliminated 2018/19 Total CAF Confederations Cup envoys to battle it out against Royal Leopards who equally could not be separated in the regulatory 90.
Leopards had clawed first courtesy of a Sifiso Nkambule header buy Buffaloes gored back with a Ndoda Mtsetfwa equalizer before he extended into the lead shortly after the hour mark completing his brace.
In the very last of two added minutes, Sifiso Matse stole an equalizer for Leopards a goal that broke Buffaloes hearts temporarily halting the celebratory rapture and sent the game to extra time.
A last gasp Wandile Shabangu strike, right at the match death, saw Buffaloes eliminate rivals Royal leopard this settling the matters between the uniformed forces giants.
On Sunday, Mbabane Highlanders takes on Matsapha United before Mbabane Swallows entertain Manzini Sundowns in the last two quarter finals matches.
Ends.
Noel Munzabwa
