‘KOLA’ HERO AS ‘BIRDS’ ADD TO ‘WESLIANS’ WOES

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)
Wanderers…...(0)2
‘Fash’ 65th, Mcebo 89th (PEN)
Swallows…….(2)3
Kola 6th, Tarawallie 27th, ‘Samba Jive’ 61st 

LOBAMBA – A wobbly Mbabane Swallows still had verve to maintain dominance over a hapless Manzini Wanderers here yesterday.

A late surge was not enough for the hosts, as their league’s winless run against Mbabane Swallows stretched to eight matches after losing 2-3 before over 5 000 animated spectators in the MTN Premier League ‘Y’ello Sunday blockbuster. The home supporters also endured a third straight league defeat, while their rivals were responding positively to their recent slump.

Wanderers, who have suffered an unbelievable five defeats in seven matches, are now living dangerously, as they are three points away from the basement. Swallows, on the other hand, are slowly picking up the pieces, as they have shot to the fourth spot on the charts with 13 points. However, they are still eight points shy of runaway leaders Green Mamba.

cursing

Wanderers, who are on six points, were left cursing their former talisman Aladeon Kola, who orchestrated their downfall with the opening goal and an assist for the second. Import Tarawallie Sallieu and veteran winger Wonder Nhleko ensured Swallows bagged all the points with the two other goals, while the ‘Weslians’  ‘dead rubber’ goals were scored by goal-per-game recruit Mfanufikile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze and Mcebo Mdluli in the second half.

The maroon and white ensemble took long to find their rhythm, as they were already playing catch-up by the sixth minute, as Swallows skipper Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze shook off the opposition defence with a sprint before he set up Kola, who had the easiest of tap ins from close range.

Wanderers, who were forced to sacrifice  the inexperienced Njabulo Magongo for Willie Djembe early in the  game , were crumbling under Swallows’ high pressing game and the defence was left at sixes and sevens by Kola, who combined with Sallieu, with the latter beating Romanus Igidimba with a low shot from close range in the 27th minute. The red and white ensemble took the two-goal cushion to the interval.

 The hub giants had tried to come out of the shells on resumption of play. The deciding half had generally become less appealing following continued stops, and referee Thulani Sibandze found himself in the spotlight, as Wanderers felt they would have at least won a penalty after ‘Shana’ was floored in the box.

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