Times Of Swaziland: ‘BIRDS’ MAKE  IT 7 IN A ROW

‘BIRDS’ MAKE  IT 7 IN A ROW
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Ashmond Nzima on 21/11/2022 07:07:00


MANZINI –  A lone strike by former Eswatini international Felix ‘Fela’
Badenhorst proved to be a difference for Mbabane Swallows, as they ended Moneni
Pirates’ unbeaten run here yesterday.
The result in the lukewarm MTN Premier League game played at a nearly-packed
Mavuso Sports Centre further ensured the visitors recorded a seventh straight
league win over the hosts on top of remaining unbeaten this term to stay in the
hunt for the E100 000 first round carrot. The last time the Moneni
‘Buccaneers’ avoided defeat in this fixture was back on May 19, 2019 and it
was a goalless draw. The last six fixtures before yesterday’s match-up had
ended in Swallows’ favour.
Coaster Magongo’s men had themselves to blame, as they ensured the pendulum
swung in their favour at some point, only to stutter when they needed to pull
the trigger. Both sides had started slow, with Pirates suffering an early
setback when the enterprising Siphosethu ‘Mjovo’ Mlotsa was stretchered off
the field with a head injury inside 10 minutes. However, the visitors slowly
crawled back to the game, with ‘Fela’ and Nhlanhla Ngwenya asking the
questions.
Decisions
When referee Thokozani Dlamini, whose decisions were unpopular with the capital
city giants’ supporters signalled for the breather, both goalkeepers were
untroubled. On resumption of play, Swallows sacrificed the inexperienced Ayanda
Gadlela for veteran winger Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko to add more firepower
upfront. Like in the opening period, Pirates were not to be outdone with a good
interchange of passes. However, it was Swallows who almost found the
breakthrough against the run of play, only for Mutanda Bashiri’s effort from
close range to be ruled out for offside in the hour mark. Swallows were
relentless in their pursuit for the opener, with Pirates goalkeeper Felizwe
Vilakati pulling up a great one-handed save to wipe to safety Bashiri’s strong
header from inside the box in the 68th minute.
Roaring
However, the roaring red and white’s ensemble loyalists did not wait forever
for the opener and ‘Fela’ eventually pounced as he fired a low shot past a
forest of legs in the box. Pirates stuttered in clearing their lines 15 minutes
from time. The goal sucked the energy out of the hosts while Swallows eventually
sacrificed the goalscorer for the defence-minded Thabo Vilakati to protect the
lead. At the end, Swallows held onto the narrow win to grind the result on the
road to ensure they remained in pursuit for their first league title since
2018/season. For Pirates, it is back to the drawing board in their bid to keep
the chasing pack in sight.