(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
Mb. Swallows……..(0)0
Ubombo……………..(0)2
Itumeleng 51st, ‘Mkholo’ 90+3rd
MANZINI – Upset!
Ubombo Sugar FC earned vital three points yesterday, handing capital city giants Mbabane Swallows a bruising 0-2 defeat to breathe new life into their top-flight survival bid. Played under sweltering skies at the Mavuso Sports Centre, this MTN Premier League Week 16 encounter marked the commencement of the season’s second round.
Ubombo proved ruthless when it mattered most, clinical finishing in the second-half condemning the ‘Birds’ to a deeply frustrating afternoon.
The victory propels ‘Bafana Bashukela’ to 15 points, seeing them leapfrog from 15th to 13th in the table. Conversely, Swallows remains stalled on 22 points.
The fixture opened a lively double-header, followed by Manzini Wanderers and Rangers, setting a dramatic tone for the day’s proceedings.
Swallows entered the match with significant momentum, having secured back-to-back 1-0 victories over arch-rivals Mbabane Highlanders and Nsingizini Hotspurs. Ubombo, however, arrived with the cold urgency of a side fighting for their lives.
‘Umkhonto KaShaka’ tactician Caleb ‘No Nonsense’ Ngwenya opted for tactical experimentation, handing a debut to new signing Sanele Ngwenya. Intriguingly, forward Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula was deployed at left-back to cover for the injured Majahandzile Nhlabatsi, a move that would later come under scrutiny.
The sugar-belt side introduced Itumeleng Mokoneni and Vusi ‘10%’ Mavuso, but suffered an early setback. Veteran Caretaker Coach Van Rooyen Magagula was forced into a premature change when influential marksman Majahesibili ‘Giggs’ Msibi was withdrawn following a reckless challenge, replaced by Gcina ‘Mkoko’ Matsebula.
*Full article available on Pressreader*
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