IN THEIR ‘Y’ELLO’ OPENER: ‘BIRDS’ OFF TO FLYING START

(At King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium)
M. Swallows..........(0)1
Kwakhe 72nd
Ezulwini Utd.........(0)0

NHLANGANO – Capital city giants Mbabane Swallows are celebrating a dream start in their MTN Premier League title defence.

A lone unanswered strike by dependable Skipper Kwakhe Tfwala proved to be the difference in the tightly-contested match at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium in Nhlangano, yesterday. This goal ended ‘Birds’ goal drought in all competitions, having last scored during the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup, 22 days ago. They then went on to play two Confederation of African Football (CAF) games without scoring. This was Caleb Ngwenya’s troops league opener, as they had been engaged in the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League.

Yesterday, they played their first league match and collected maximum points against the side they also edged with the same scoreline in the previous season, to be confirmed as champions. The win elevated the ‘Birds’ from 12th to the sixth. They are tied with Nsingizini Hotspurs, Sisonkhe, and  Ezulwini, who are all on three points. Meanwhile, United slipped one place down the ladder after suffering this loss in their second game. They kicked off their season with a 2-0 win against Illovo, last Sunday.

The match had a slow start, with the capital city giants dominating possession but struggling to find their rhythm in the midfield. United, on the other hand, were united in defence, aiming to catch the opposition on a counter-attack. United had a chance in the 27th  minute when Phiwokuhle Ndzingane’s free-kick hit the Swallows’ defensive wall. Swallows then came to life after the first half-hour, attacking with intent. Nhlanhla Ngwenya saw his effort ballooned over the bar by a few inches in the nine minutes before the break, just missing the chance to break the deadlock before the interval.

Substituted

On resumption of play, Swallows substituted Leon Manyisa and Given Lukhele for Bandile ‘Skosh’ Shabangu and Siyabonga Zwane. They persisted in their goal attempts, but United’s captain, Mandla Palma, intercepted and cleared their attacks. Ezulwini Coach Vusisizwe Mahlalela had fielded former Denver Sundowns’ Philiswa Dube and Bhekani Mthembu, who was signed from Red Rhinos (formerly Tambankulu Callies).On the hour mark, Msimisi Zwane almost caused an upset with a swift attack after Siyabonga Zwane was dispossessed during a Swallows corner kick. However, Bongiswa ‘Romario’ Dlamini parried it away for a corner that yielded no results.

Thwala eased the pressure with 18 minutes remaining on referee Mciniseli Sithole’s clock. He converted a free-kick just outside the box, beating goalkeeper Siyabonga Magagula  in the near post. Swallows benefitted from a foul by Phiwokuhle Ndzingane on Siyabonga Zwane, who was dribbling into the box. When the game was 80 minutes old, ‘Birds’ almost doubled their lead, but ‘Skosh’s powerful shot from close range was blocked for a fruitless corner. The see-saw battle continued, with the visitors launching a few attacks, but it was the defending champions who held onto their slender win, extending their league unbeaten run to 26 games from last season.

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