LEOPARD BEAT ‘BIRDS’ 2-0 TO REACH SWAZIBANK CUP FINAL

LOBAMBA – Two second half goals were all that police side Royal Leopard needed to eliminate Mbabane Swallows and deny them a chance to defend the SwaziBank Cup for a second consecutive time.

Leopard were the better side in the game, in particular the second half which was almost one sided as Swallows faded like morning dew to the sun, allowing their rivals to score two goals in the 48th and 69th minutes.
In front of an estimated over 7 000 crowd, Leopard took the lead through striker Barry Steenkamp who brilliantly turned in front of defender Mandla Palma before planting the ball into the far left corner of the net.

His shot gave the Swallows goalkeeper Jim Knowledge no chance as the striker picked his spot well to ensure he did not reach it despite trying. It was a goal that sparked wild celebrations from Swallows’ sworn rivals Mbabane Highlanders’ grandstand who had earlier been eliminated by Young Buffaloes.

With Swallows chasing shadows in the second half and failing to string even three passes, when they did it would not make five, Leopard took control of the game with the likes of Muzi ‘Mzoro’ Dlamini and Barry Steenkamp causing all sorts of trouble upfront.
That things were not their way showed when the captain and usually trusted winger Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze was given little space and had to be subbed in the 56th minute due to injury. Then their goalkeeper Jim Knowledge added to their woes when he parried a harmless cross into Leopard’s midfielder Zweli ‘Mlilo’ Nxumalo’s feet at the edge of the box.

The Leopard star made no mistake as he welcomed the gift from Jim with a neat first touch to create some shooting space and let fly a shot that beat the latter to make it 2-0. At the rate the game was going, it became clear Swallows would never recover as the police side was organised at the back even when they were attacked.

Meanwhile, Swallows could have scored at least two goals in the first half as they got the chances but left winger Tony had his close range shot parried away by the goalkeeper Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini with midfielder Felix Badenhorst, unmarked in the six yard box ballooned his shot over the bar.
In the end, Leopard deservedly won as they played with their hearts out in this game and will now meet Young Buffaloes in the final on April 6.
Man of the Match:

Sifiso Nkambule (Royal Leopard) – He was solid in the Leopard defence as he managed to stop the Swallows’ deadly striking force of Mike Mohammed, Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze and had a great game throughout.
Goal of the Game:

Barry Steenkamp (R. Leopard) – The bulky striker was always causing trouble for the Swallows’ defence and when he easily turned 360 degrees in front of defender Mandla Palma to score their first goal, it was sheer brilliance from him.

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