‘BIRDS’ FLY OVER ‘WESLIANS’

NHLANGANO – An early strike by Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala was enough to seal a victory for Mbabane Swallows against Manzini Wanderers here yesterday.

The capital city giants denied the maroon and white ensemble a top five-spot with just a game before the curtain falls for the first round. The Musa Manyatsi-led charges maintained the fifth spot with 25 points after 14 games. Swallows could have jumped fourth had Young Buffaloes lost. The army side beat Green Mamba 4-1 in a forces derby played at Mayaluka Stadium yesterday to jump third with 26 points after 14 games. Beside the goal which separated the two sides, the game was fairly balanced with both teams creating clear chances but missing at the end.

chances

The chances were created mostly on second half. The only chance in the first half came in the fourth minute when Shabalala benefitted from a goal-mouth scramble. He hurled a powerful shot that graced under a forest of legs before deflecting on Wanderers Captain Mthunzi ‘Chippa’ Motsa, beating goalkeeper Bongiswa Dlamini across the sticks. In the second half, Sandile Hlatswako could have stretched the lead to 2-0 but Dlamini made a beautiful save. Hlatswako had controlled nicely inside the ball and unleashed a ground shot with 10 minutes left on the clock. The introduction of James Nguluve almost added to Weslians’ woes but all thanks to the visitors’ goalkeeper who thwarted a close effort from Nguluve with five minutes to go.

Mopina cursed his gods when his pin-point header missed the target by inches. This was just two minutes before the final whistle. The visitors tried to come back, however, it was little too late as referee Letticia Vinna blew the final whistle to provoke scenes of celebration at the Mbabane Swallows stand. The question is, with the two back to back wins, do Swallows need their former coach Christopher Ennin as he is reportedly on his way back? It remains to be seen after he left following a two-game losing streak.

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