LEOPARD’S ONE PAW ON THE TROPHY

Sports Editor
(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

Mb. Swallows.............(0) 0,
Royal Leopard.............(1) 2,
Charles 33rd, Barry 81st

LOBAMBA – MTN league 2028/19 season Champions-elect! Game by game, week by week Royal Leopard are taking a giant step towards reclaiming the league glory and how ironic here yesterday, as they put the defending champions Mbabane Swallows to the sword as cool as you like.

The 2-0 win over a comatose Swallows ensured Edwin Matsebula’s charges stretched their lead to five points with two games to play though they have played one game more than nearest challengers Green Mamba and Young Buffaloes in what has snowballed into a three-horse race for the Holy Grail of Eswatini football.

defensive

Lanky Cameroonian striker Charles Endo-Nga took advantage of a defensive mix-up between Swallows goalkeeper, Sandanezwe Mathabela and defender, Sifiso Mabila to drive home the opener three minutes after the half-hour mark.

Then substitute Barry Steenkamp converted a 81st, minute penalty to blow Swallows title hopes into smithereens. The penalty was rightly awarded by referee Thulani Sibandze after winger Fanelo Tsabedze was brought down inside the box by defender Mncedisi Dlamini.

Leopard, who will face Matsapha United and Young Buffaloes in the remaining two games, look on course to win the first league title since they won the 2015/16 season crown when they beat long-time leaders, Mbabane Highlanders to the league title in extra ordinary circumstances.

Swallows started yesterday’s game like a house on fire with captain, Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze leading the attacking forays but fizzled out like a can of coke left open for an hour. Leopard still fashioned out better scoring chances with Lungelo Tsabedze twice breaking free in the 8th and 25th minute but the first chance, his angled shot went over the bar and then on the second opportunity, Swallows’ goalminder Sandanezwe Mathabela pulled off a great save.
lacking
Then Charles Endo-Nga silenced the Swallows fans when he scored the opening goal in the 33rd minute, which came as a result of miscommunication at the ‘Birds’ rear-guard awfully lacking a leader.

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