SEA BIRDS HOLD SWALLOWS

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)
Swallows..................1
Njabulo 49th
Sea Birds.................1
Sandanezwe 74th

LOBAMBA - All animals are equal. This proved true last night as Mbabane Swallows and Manzini Sea Birds played to a draw.

The bottom-loggers and elite league returnees gallantly fought to a draw and earned a point from the defending MTN Premier League champions. Living true to his name, Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu gave Swallows the joy of leading after 49 minutes but it was not for long.

In the exciting clash, the gifted and experienced midfielder was not only a marvel to watch but also capped a good night of football with a close range goal from an Aladeon Kola low cross on the left wing.

He pounced four minutes into the second half as once again, Swallows started brightly, while Sea Birds players appeared to have tired legs. After all, the pitch conditions were challenging physically for the players after the rains that poured in the afternoon. It could have been worse for Sea Birds had Swallows utilised all their chances in the opening 25 minutes of the second half.

Three minutes later Sea Birds levelled matters through Muzi Tsabedze just after the hour mark. He took a good run into the box before unleashing a powerful shot into the nearby post, the ball helped into the bottom corner of the net by the diving Sandanezwe Mathabela, as the ball hit the post to find him trying to make a save.

Swallows responded but in vain as the effort was wayward. Tony Tsabedze also had his goal-bound shot headed out for a fruitless corner in the dying minutes push for maximum points.

After 15 minutes, Swallows resorted to long range efforts but missed the target. It was Sea Birds that forced the real save of the match after 27 minutes, earning a corner which ended fruitless. The threat was only starting as Sea Birds came onto Swallows with some deft touches of their own, the first half finished with the few fans kept at the edge of their seats. It was end to end stuff from both sides.

Swallows’ D4D forced the first save from Sea Birds’ goalie Lindani Mtsetfwa, who brilliantly tipped a rasping long range effort that came off the bar for a corner. This was at the stroke of half time. What a game!

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