Times Of Swaziland: PIRATES SWALLOW ‘BIRDS’

PIRATES SWALLOW ‘BIRDS’
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Ashmond Nzima on 27/10/2024 16:23:00


BIG BEND – Major upset!
A fortuitous own goal by goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela inside 90 seconds
proved costly for Mbabane Swallows, who suffered their first defeat of the
season at the hands of a spirited Moneni Pirates in Big Bend, yesterday.
Swallows fans who made a long trip to the sugar belt for the round six MTN
Premier League clash jadedly dragged themselves out of the stadium in disbelief,
as their favourite side did not only suffer their first league defeat in 391
days, but lost to Moneni for the first in over 11 years. Ironically, Pirates had
last prevailed in this fixture with a 2-1 win at the same venue, back in the
2011/12 season.
The win for Pirates helped ease the pressure, as they stuttered in their first
five games, collecting only five points. Just when some latecomers were still
taking their seats, Moneni had their noses in front in style. From a Phumlani
Shongwe corner-kick, Mathabela first had a grip of the ball before he spilled it
into the net, stunning the visiting fans into silence inside two minutes.
Swallows took forever to find their rhythm, as they opted for route one and
cheaply lost possession at first.  Pirates had done their homework, as they were
compact, with skipper Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane marshalling the defence
with perfection.
Veteran Pirates forward Mfanufukile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze almost doubled the
advantage in the 32nd minute, as Swallows stuttered in clearing their lines. The
capital city giants, who had last suffered defeat in the 1-4 loss to Green Mamba
on October 1, 2023, slowly grew in the game but could not click in the last
third, with  Kingsley Kwayki squandering a glorious opportunity in the box, as
he could not wrap his foot around the ball, a few minutes before the break.
While the game was too physical with countless fouls, the hosts took the narrow
lead to the break.
On resumption of play, Swallows tried to be more adventurous, bringing in the
pair of Sizolethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala and Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane for
the struggling Leon Manyisa and Nhlanhla Ngwenya. In search for the elusive
equaliser, Ayanda Gadlela, who is woefully off-form forced goalkeeper Bernard
Ayikwei to make a desperate clearance with a teasing shot.
In response, Moneni sharpshooter Senanelo Nkambule, who was isolated upfront did
find pockets of space but delayed pulling the trigger. Swallows’ Kwakhe Thwala
who was dropped from Sihlangu under dramatic circumstances dipped the ball into
box from a free kick from about 25 yards, but Gadlela was stuck in a forest of
legs when he attempted to pull the trigger, with Pirates getting a chance to
clear their lines. Gadlela was eventually sacrificed for Sandile Hlatjwako, who
became a spectator inside the field of play.
In the 68th minute came a dramatic moment when Swallows thought they had
restored parity through ‘Gusheshe’ who nodded home from a scramble after a
‘Nunu’ shot proved too hot to handle for the goalkeeper. The attempt was
ruled out for offside, much to disappointment of the Swallows faithful who
roared in disgust and disapproval. The Moneni goalkeeper was repeatedly called
to action towards the end, but his positioning was spot on. Swallows were dealt
a further setback, as ‘Nunu’ was stretchered off with a serious injury in
the dying minutes of the game. Pirates were just interested in winding down the
clock towards the end, with no meaningful attacks.
Against the run of play, a glancing header by Mazwi Sihlongonyane was saved by
Mathabela. At the end, the sides were seperated by the lone strike, with
Swallows maintaining the top spot and a four-point lead, as closest challengers
Royal Leopard are not in action, this weekend. The latter have most of their
players at Sihlangu, who are away in Botswana to face Zimbabwe.