IT’S NOW A TWO-HORSE RACE AS: ‘BIRDS’ LOSE E100K Y’ELLO ‘CARROT’ RACE

MANZINI - Young Buffaloes’ solitary strike victory over defending champions Mbabane Swallows yesterday has ended  the latter’s pursuit of the E100 000 MTN Premier League first-round incentive.

Derrick Sifundza’s first-half cracker delivered a bitter blow to Swallows, who suffered their third defeat of the season. The victory also marked a milestone for Amathol’ezinyathi, ending an eight-game winless streak against Umkhonto KaShaka.  Their last win against Swallows occurred on October 27, 2019 and was followed by a series of draws and back-to-back defeats last season.

This win for Dominic Kunene’s side meant no changes on log standings at they remained sixth while Swallows provisional retained the third spot. Nsingizini Hotspurs may overtake them if they beat Rangers. The first-round incentive now hinges on the upcoming clash between Royal Leopard and Green Mamba, who are currently tied at the summit with 28 points apiece.
In yesterday’s game, there was dramatic turn of event after the final whistle. The match officials were held hostage for approximately 10 minutes by a group of disgruntled city giants’ fans, who seemed not impressed by their officiating on the day.

However, the encounter was a highly-charged affair, with tensions running high, particularly interesting duel between Swallows’ Captain Kwakhe Thwala and his former teammate, Phiwayinkhosi ‘S’lwabelwabe’ Dlamini. Moreover, the troubled ‘Birds’ were without the service of Siyabonga Zwane. Zwane was recent reported to have resigned from the club due to a breach of contract. Conversely, the army side fielded Bongwa Matsebula, who recently made headlines for his absence without leave from the national team camp. It was a balanced contest, punctuated by moments of rough tackles among the players, especially during the first stanza. Swallows gave away fouls, but Buffaloes failed to capitalise on them.

Opportunities

As the half-hour mark approached, the game intensified, with both sides creating scoring opportunities. However, it was Amathole’zinyathi’s Sifundza who broke the deadlock with a spectacular strike in the 31st minute. ‘S’lwabelwabe’ exploited a moment of complacency in the ‘Birds’ defence, dispossessed Thwala and delivered a pinpoint cross that Sifundza met with a thunderous volley. The ball crashed against the far post, leaving goalkeeper Bongiswa ‘Romario’ Dlamini sprawled on grass. Dlamini desperately pick himself up promptly and attempted to prevent the ball from crossing the line, but it was too late.

Buffaloes then exerted sustained pressure, forcing ‘Romario’ into two great saves before the interval.  At the resumption, the visitors introduced Nhlanhla Ngwenya and Ayanda Gadlela for Biko Sibandze and Sandile Hlatshwayo, respectively. However, Hlatshwayo appeared unhappy with the substitution and walked straight towards the dressing room. Within a minute of the restart, Buffaloes forced ‘Romario’ to pull of two more great saves, denying Owa from close range and Ali Matse from a rebound.

The remainder of the match was a thrilling spectacle, with both sides launching rapid counter-attacks. Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula came close to equalising shortly before the hour mark, but his weak finish let him down after dribbling several players into the box. He opted to shoot himself instead of passing to the unmarked Gadlela who was in front of goal. In the 66th minute, Siphosethu Mabilisa’s effort was tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Mlungisi Nxumalo, resulting in a fruitless corner kick. With 13 minutes remaining, Philiso’s header was comfortably saved by Nxumalo as they poached an equaliser.

Swallows continued to search for an elusive equaliser, but it never came. In added time, Buffaloes almost doubled their advantage. Matse’s well-struck free-kick from the edge of the box rattled the post, but the goalkeeper reacted swiftly to fold the ball before a rebound.

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