Times Of Swaziland: ‘BIRDS’ HOLD AMAZULU

‘BIRDS’ HOLD AMAZULU
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Ntokozo Magongo on 25/03/2019 09:08:00


BIG BEND – Mbabane Swallows fired blanks and rued the missed chances as they
settled for a goalless draw against AmaZulu.
The ‘Birds’ had an upper hand over South Africa’s ABSA Premiership League
side but poor finishing upfront saw them settling for the barren draw during the
international friendly match at Mayaluka Stadium in Big Bend. Swallows were
dominant from start to finish and they could have taken the lead as early as the
third minute when striker Sandile Hlatshwako failed to beat former Orlando
Pirates goalkeeper Moeeneb Josephs one-on-one.
Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze displayed a man of the match-deserving performance as he
was behind supplying Hlatshwako, Richard McCreesh and Sizolwethu Shabalala who
all failed to score. In the half-hour mark, Tsabedze missed golden chance after
receiving a pass from Sizolwethu, only for him to shoot straight at the
goalkeeper with the post wide open. AmaZulu, who won 2-0 against Manzini
Wanderers on Saturday at Mavuso Sports Centre, had started the international
friendly with their strongest squad.
After failing to produce a convincing performance in the first half, coach Cavin
Johnson rested the trio of Siyabonga Nomvethe, Moeeneb Josephs, Thembela
Sikhakhane and Singabakho Ngema for Neil Boshoff, Sedate Our-Akoriko, Jabulani
Ncobeni and Bayanda Shangase. The second half saw Swallows continuing with their
dominance but failing to find the back of the net. The duo of substituted Lilepo
Glody and Cabby Kahapa all missed great chances forcing the game to end
goalless.