AFTER ANOTHER CAF UPSET FOR ‘BIRDS’, IT’S: ‘EIGHT’ FOR THE ROAD!

(At Lucas Moripe Stadium, Courtesy of Instacash)
M. Sundowns.........4
Kodisang 42nd, Khoza 60th, Lorch 63rd, Mkhulise 67th
M. Swallows..........0

PRETORIA – Mamelodi Sundowns have progressed to the next round of the CAF Champions League, eliminating Mbabane Swallows from the tournament with a ruthless performance, yesterday.

Sundowns, under the guidance of Coach Manqoba Mngqithi, were clinical in their dismantling of Umkhonto KaShaka in the second leg of the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League second preliminary round. Sundowns secured a comprehensive 4-0 victory, crushing the hopes of Swallows to advance to the next stage of the competition, with the aggregate score standing at 8-0 in favour of the South African giants.

This result was a continuation of their dominant performance in the first leg, where they defeated Swallows 4-0 in the same venue. The home side started the match with a flourish, as Kobamelo Kodisang slotted the ball into an empty net to put them ahead in the first-half. The second-half proved to be a merciless period for Swallows, as the ruthless Sundowns added three more goals to their tally. Malibongwe Khoza increased the lead with a well-placed header into the left corner, before Thembinkosi Lorch, returning from injury, contributed to the scoring with a clinical finish.

Swallows’ nightmare was far from over, as Mamelodi Sundowns’ attacking midfielder Sphelele Mkhulise put the final nail in the coffin with a breathtaking goal to seal the victory for the home side. Swallows, in their second consecutive match against the South African powerhouse, failed to register a single goal in both legs of the games.

Changes

Coming into the game the hosts, with an eye on future fixtures, made 11 changes to their starting line-up for the game, bringing in goalkeeper Ronwen Williams, Marcelo Allende, Iqraam Rayners and other key players, while starting the likes of Thembinkosi Lorch, Peter Shalulile and Denis Onyango.  The opening exchanges saw both teams attack with verve, with Swallows showing marked improvement from their performance in the first leg. A gilt-edged opportunity presented itself to Swallows’ Bongi Magagula in the 16th minute, as the swift winger received a well-timed pass from Kwakhe Thwala, only to sky his shot over the crossbar.

The home side then had a clear chance to take the lead themselves, but Sundowns’ lethal striker Peter Shalulile, perhaps eager to get his name on the score sheet, misplaced his footing in Sandanezwe Mathabela’s penalty area after a clever delivery from Thembinkosi Lorch. As the first half drew to a close, Sundowns finally broke the deadlock. A pin-point cross from Divine Lunga found the feet of Kodisang, who made no mistake in tapping the ball into the net.

The second half of the match proved to be a daunting ordeal for the Mbabane giants, as their defensive mistake crumbled under the sustained pressure from Sundowns. Just 15 minutes into the last stanza, Sundowns defender, Khoza, climbed highest to nod home a powerful header, doubling their lead. Soon after, Lorch swept home a precise cross from Kodisang, adding his name to the score sheet and compounding Swallows’ misery. As Swallows’ backline began to buckle under the unrelenting assault from the Sundowns, Mkhulise put the finishing touches on a brilliant individual display, cutting in from the flank and curling a precise shot into the bottom corner.

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