‘TIGER’-INSPIRED ‘BIRDS’ BURST PIRATES’ BUBBLE

MBABANE – Capital city giants Mbabane Swallows beat a 10-man Moneni Pirates 2-0 in an MTN Premier League game played here yesterday.

Pirates were reduced to 10 men after defender Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane received a straight red less than10 minutes before regulation time after he uttered words, which did not sit well with referee Wandile Mamba.

Delivered

The Caleb Ngwenya-led side took the lead nine minutes before the hour mark through lanky striker Sandile Hlatjwako, who nodded home a cross delivered by the impressive Ayanda Gadlela.Umkhonto KaShaka scored the second goal to take a comfortable lead through debutant Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini in the 76th minute. He let fly a scorcher after receiving a nice pass from Gadlela on the left flank, which left Pirates goalkeeper Bhekisisa Dlamini with no choice but to watch the ball kiss the back of the net.

The game started on a low note as both teams applied cautiousness on their approach as they failed to create meaningful attempts at goal. The first clear chance came five minutes before half-time through Swallows, Serra Leone import Mohamed Kabia, whose long drive outside the box flew inches above the bar. The Ikabort Masocha charges responded quickly but were unlucky when striker Kizadi Kitwe’s cracker narrowly missed the target at the stroke of high time.

Pressure

The score was 0-0 at half-time. Swallows came back a better side in the second stanza as they pushed the visitors to the limit; no wonder they eventually succumbed to the pressure as the host went on to score the two goals, which took them three points away from log leaders Green Mamba, who have 31 points in 14 games. The results saw Swallows ending Masocha’s four games without a loss and continued their dominance over Pirates, who last beat ‘Birds’ on May 19, 2019.

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