Times Of Swaziland: ROYAL PERFECTION

ROYAL PERFECTION
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Machawe Fakudze on 26/07/2021 08:53:00


SITEKI – It was a royal command for Leopard as two goals earned them maximum
points against 10-men Mbabane Swallows.
Leopard beat Swallows to maintain the lead at the top and opened a gap of 13
points from the red and white outfit with only 15 points left to fight for
before the league ends. Swallows is technically in for the title or second
position. The game was intense and full of drama . The two sides met in the
field of play for the first time this season after their first round match was
decided on the tables with Leopard awarded maximum points after the ‘Birds’
failed to produce playing cards on April 11, 2021. Swallows were forced to
finish the game one man down after goalkeeper Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza
was showed a red for indiscipline by referee Thulani Sibandze a minute after the
hour mark. That was the start of drama as Lungelo Tsabedze was fouled inside the
box by Swallows defender, Siphosethu Mabelesa and the referee did not hesitate
and pointed to the spot kick. Swallows sacrificed Sandile Hlatshwako for
Sihlangu goalkeeper; Sandanezwe who displayed a heroic display in the 2021
COSAFA Cup but could not save Mlilo’s spot kick. Mathabela’s first
contribution in the game was conceding the goal from Nxumalo.
drama
The drama continued with about five minutes remaining as Swallows Coach
Christopher Ennin was also showed a red card by the referee as the tempers
flared during the match. Back to the match, Leopard dominated the game from the
beginning, but it was Swallows who created the first chance when they won a
corner kick few minutes into the game. Swallows captain Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze
played a through ball to lanky striker, Sandile Hlatjwako, who went for a goal
but the linesman waved for an offside.
Royal Leopard on the other hand upped their tempo, no wonder Thabiso Mokenkoane
missed a clear chance from a wonderful pass from Zweli ‘Mlilo’ Nxumalo but
was let down by composure in front of goal.
press
Leopard continued to press hard on Swallows and Sikhumbuzo Magagula’s rocket
shot hit Swallows players for a fruitless corner. Thabiso tried his luck just
outside the box, but Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ was equal to the task. The game went
for a break, Leopard dominating the game and still no side broke the deadlock.
Seeing that Leopard was dominating the game, Swallows coach, Christopher Ennin
made a double substitution bringing in Sifiso Mabila for Enzo Motsa and Leon
Manyisa for Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze. Mokenkoena once again failed to break
the deadlock when he failed to connect a clever pass from ‘Mlilo’ and
‘Nkomishi’ rushed to pick the ball.