‘BIRDS’ TWO GOOD

(Sports Editor)

Green Mamba..........................(0) 0,
Mb.Swallows............................(2) 2,
Sandile 3rd, Wonder 38th

LOBAMBA – A slick Mbabane Swallows restored their two point lead at the summit of the log after cruising 2-0 past a comatose Green Mamba here last night.

The league defending champions on a record 30 game league unbeaten run stretching back to April 15, 2016 -  a 3-1 loss to then champions Royal Leopard on the last game of the 2015/16 season - made their intentions of sending the Correctional Services side to their second defeat in five days after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to Buffaloes as early as the time it takes to boil an egg.

Exactly three minutes from the time referee Mbongiseni Fakudze declared the contest on striker Sandile Hlatshwako scored his third goal in two games when he finished unmarked inside the box after the porous-as-a-sieve Green Mamba defence failed to clear their lines following a cross floated into the box by the overlapping Sanele Mkhweli.

In a rare-as-a-hen’s-tooth Mamba swift move, Swallows keeper Sandanezwe Mathabela pulled off a brilliant one hand save to flick over the bar a Siyabonga ‘Msholozi’ Mdluli header in the quarter hour mark.
Swallows who enjoyed a lion’s share of possession with Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu. South African born midfielder Lazola Kunene and jersey number 11, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze pulling the strings in the belly of the park, added the second goal in the fortunate circumstances in the 38th minute.

A gift-wrapped Sandile Hlatshwako cross was miscued by Green Mamba defender Sanele Tshawuka leaving winger Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko with the simplest task of toe poking the ball which had eluded goalkeeper Mpendulo Dlamini into an empty net.
It was probably the easiest goal the veteran Nhleko has scored in his illustrious career now spanning over 15 years. Green Mamba regrouped in the second half after the introduction of Muhle Shiba for Tebogo Motale but wayward shooting remains their Achilles Heel. Left full back Thabiso Gumbi watched in horror in the 71st minute as his angled shot ricocheted against the bar.

But still it was Swallows who enjoyed territorial advantage and were more inventive going forward with captain Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze giving Mamba right full back Thabo Mngometulu a torrid time. As coach Thabo Vilakati boastfully said in his post match comments his gallant side keeps marching on, breaking many records than plates.

A clean sheet in three games, six goals in two games and an amazing 30 league game unbeaten run and counting. For good measure - after near challengers Buffaloes could only play a 1-all draw with Manzini Sundowns at the same time down at Mavuso Sports Centre - a two point lead glamorously restored.

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