‘BIRDS’ SWALLOWED!

TAMBANKULU – Humbled.

This best describes Mbabane Swallows shock 2-4 loss to high-flying Tambankulu Callies, who maintained the third spot on the MTN Premier League log standings after their biggest win of the season here yesterday. They remain a point behind Mbabane Highlanders who have 18 points and five points away from log leaders Royal Leopard. Tambankulu Callies did not only celebrate the historical victory, but also set a new record of scoring the earliest goal of the season barely 30 seconds into the game. They surged forward attacking from kick-off and Neliso Myeni’s ground shot caught Sandanezwe Mathabela unaware and he reacted late as it sailed into the net.

Swallows’ reaction from the goal saw them dominating in the first 10 minutes as they were threatening but failed to score. It came as no surprise when they equalised in the quarter-hour mark through right full back, Sifiso Mabila who was initially crossing to the box but the ball sailed into the net with Callies goalkeeper Ncanawe Ndlandla rooted standstill.

Swallows who were hoping to stretch their winning streak to five games, were shocked by three stunning second half goals from the hosts. First, it was Mazwi Sihlongonyane who let fly a 25-yards stunner in the 58th minute, which beat Sandanezwe hands down. While Swallows were still recovering from the shock, Callies added the third goal three minutes after the hour-mark when substitute Banele Ndlangamandla went for the top corner of the net with a blistering shot to send the Callies family here into frenzied celebrations. Swallows who were dominating the ball possession made changes bringing in Nhlanhla Ngwenya, Sizolwethu Shabalala and Kingsley Kwakyi for Sifiso Mabila, Bashir Mutanda and Richard McCreesh.

Blow

Swallows were still fighting for a come-back when they were dealt a major blow in the last 10 minutes of the game. They had to play the remaining ten minutes with ten-men after James Nguluve suffered an injury while they had exhausted all their substitutions. Callies took advantage and made it 4-1 courtesy of another substitute Khayalethu Mndzebele’s strike nine minutes from regulation time. Substitute Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala did pull one back in optional time but it was merely a consolation goal as Swallows suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at the hands of the swashbuckling Callies who maintained their best start to a season, fortifying the third spot on the log standings going into ‘Week 9’ of the gruelling 2021/2022 MTN Premier league season.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: