‘Birds’ soar to summit in 5-goal thriller

Mbabane Swallows………(0)3

Nhlanhla 52^nd,  ‘Karas’ 60^th, ‘Benny’ 79^th

Royal Leopard…………….(0)2

Felix 62^nd, Mancoba (Pen) 75^th

MANZINI – Humdinger!

In a match bursting with drama, momentum swings and five thrilling goals, Mbabane Swallows climbed to the summit of the MTN Premier League for the first time this season after a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Royal Leopard yesterday.

 ‘Umkhonto KaShaka’  edged their way to the top of the charts with nine points from four games, leaving Royal Leopard struggling near the bottom with just one point from their two fixtures. A chilly, slightly drizzling afternoon set a tense mood for the pulsating encounter, which saw officials including Sports Portfolio Committee Chairman Sifiso ‘Haizo’ Shabalala and MTN Eswatini Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jerry Soko among the sizeable crowd.

With the E110 000 first-round prize carrot dangling in front of the teams, the stakes were sky-high.

Despite early chances, including a promising strike from Leopard’s Thokozani ‘Thikithi’ Dlamini and a close-range effort by Swallows’ Nhlanhla Ngwenya, the first half ended in a goalless stalemate. Both sides had goals disallowed for offside, heightening the tension before International Federation of Association Football (FIFA)-accredited referee Thembinkosi ‘Dovos’ Dlamini blew for the break.

The match truly ignited in the second half. Swallows broke the deadlock eight minutes after the restart when winger Nhlanhla Ngwenya comfortably slotted home from a neat Njongo Mazibuko pass in the 52^nd minute.

Just eight minutes later, Swallows seemingly took control. Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula pounced on a rebound from a well-placed Njongo shot to make it 2-0 on the hour mark, with Leopard goalkeeper Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Makhanya out of position.

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