‘BIRDS’ FLY INTO LAST 4, E225K RICHER

MANZINI – Drama unfolded at the Mavuso Sports Centre as Mbabane Swallows secured a 3-1 victory over National First Division (NFD) outfit Lozitha Spurs. The win propelled the ‘Birds’ to the semi-finals of the2024/25 Ingwenyama Cup generously sponsored by the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF). The hotly-contested match ended in a rather unusual fashion, as the referee, Ntokozo Khoza, required a police escort off the field, following a brief but intense confrontation involving Lozitha players and officials, incensed by the referee’s decisions.

The skirmish, which lasted for a tense minute, erupted as the final whistle blew, with players demanding answers regarding the referee’s officiating, with some even threatening physical confrontation. The swift intervention of the police prevented the situation from escalating further, ensuring the safety of the match officials. Before the post-match incident, the referee had already been the subject of controversy. In the 36th minute, Swallows Captain Sifiso Mabila received a red card for a tackle on Colane Mavuso.

However, the referee then rescinded his decision, after seeing Mavuso recover quickly. Under Law 5 of the Laws of the Game 2024, a referee can change a decision if they realise it was incorrect, or receive information from another match official. The referee opted for a yellow card instead. Swallows surged into the last four, thanks to goals from Njongo Mazibuko and a brace from Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula, while Mxolisi Hlongwane netted the solitary goal for Lozitha.

From the start, the game was tightly contested, but Swallows, who are now guaranteed E300 000 as semi-finalists, showcased their determination early on. They scored early, with Mazibuko tapping into an empty net after Lozitha Spurs’ goalkeeper, Bhekisisa Sikhondze, spilled a powerful volley from Karas. In the 20th minute, Philiso Newman’s free kick struck the woodwork, and Karas tapped in the rebound, but it was disallowed for offside.

After the restart, the hosts mounted pressure on their opponents, but Hlongwane missed a golden opportunity to equalise in the 51st minute, ballooning the ball over the bar. Lozitha’s Njabulo Gama came close to scoring in the 58th minute, but Swallows’ goalkeeper, Bongiswa ‘Romario’ Dlamini, made a superb save, forcing a fruitless corner. Kwenzokuhle Khumalo nearly made it 2-0 in the 60th minute, but the woodwork denied him, resulting in a goal kick.

Karas extended Swallows’ lead five minutes before regulation time, hitting a volley from Biko Sibandze’s curling cross, which beat the goalkeeper across the sticks. Lozitha responded with a goal in the 88th minute as Hlongwane’s ground shot found the back of the net, beating Bongiswa across the posts, making it 2-1. Just when the hosts were aiming for an equaliser, Karas completed his brace, embarking on a solo run and unleashing a powerful shot to make it 3-1, putting the game beyond Lozitha’s reach at the stroke of full time.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: