PIRATES SWALLOW ‘BIRDS’

BIG BEND – Major upset!

A fortuitous own goal by goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela inside 90 seconds proved costly for Mbabane Swallows, who suffered their first defeat of the season at the hands of a spirited Moneni Pirates in Big Bend, yesterday. Swallows fans who made a long trip to the sugar belt for the round six MTN Premier League clash jadedly dragged themselves out of the stadium in disbelief, as their favourite side did not only suffer their first league defeat in 391 days, but lost to Moneni for the first in over 11 years. Ironically, Pirates had last prevailed in this fixture with a 2-1 win at the same venue, back in the 2011/12 season.

The win for Pirates helped ease the pressure, as they stuttered in their first five games, collecting only five points. Just when some latecomers were still taking their seats, Moneni had their noses in front in style. From a Phumlani Shongwe corner-kick, Mathabela first had a grip of the ball before he spilled it into the net, stunning the visiting fans into silence inside two minutes. Swallows took forever to find their rhythm, as they opted for route one and cheaply lost possession at first.  Pirates had done their homework, as they were compact, with skipper Menzi ‘Magawugawu’ Simelane marshalling the defence with perfection.

Veteran Pirates forward Mfanufukile ‘Fash’ Ndzimandze almost doubled the advantage in the 32nd minute, as Swallows stuttered in clearing their lines. The capital city giants, who had last suffered defeat in the 1-4 loss to Green Mamba on October 1, 2023, slowly grew in the game but could not click in the last third, with  Kingsley Kwayki squandering a glorious opportunity in the box, as he could not wrap his foot around the ball, a few minutes before the break. While the game was too physical with countless fouls, the hosts took the narrow lead to the break.

On resumption of play, Swallows tried to be more adventurous, bringing in the pair of Sizolethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala and Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane for the struggling Leon Manyisa and Nhlanhla Ngwenya. In search for the elusive equaliser, Ayanda Gadlela, who is woefully off-form forced goalkeeper Bernard Ayikwei to make a desperate clearance with a teasing shot.
In response, Moneni sharpshooter Senanelo Nkambule, who was isolated upfront did find pockets of space but delayed pulling the trigger. Swallows’ Kwakhe Thwala who was dropped from Sihlangu under dramatic circumstances dipped the ball into box from a free kick from about 25 yards, but Gadlela was stuck in a forest of legs when he attempted to pull the trigger, with Pirates getting a chance to clear their lines. Gadlela was eventually sacrificed for Sandile Hlatjwako, who became a spectator inside the field of play.

In the 68th minute came a dramatic moment when Swallows thought they had restored parity through ‘Gusheshe’ who nodded home from a scramble after a ‘Nunu’ shot proved too hot to handle for the goalkeeper. The attempt was ruled out for offside, much to disappointment of the Swallows faithful who roared in disgust and disapproval. The Moneni goalkeeper was repeatedly called to action towards the end, but his positioning was spot on. Swallows were dealt a further setback, as ‘Nunu’ was stretchered off with a serious injury in the dying minutes of the game. Pirates were just interested in winding down the clock towards the end, with no meaningful attacks.

Against the run of play, a glancing header by Mazwi Sihlongonyane was saved by Mathabela. At the end, the sides were seperated by the lone strike, with Swallows maintaining the top spot and a four-point lead, as closest challengers Royal Leopard are not in action, this weekend. The latter have most of their players at Sihlangu, who are away in Botswana to face Zimbabwe.

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