‘Birds’ fly into E75k quarter-final riches

(At Mayaluka Stadium)

Swallows……………… 4

Nhlanhla 13^th, Nunu 45+6^th, Celso 55^th, Njongo 82^nd

Amawele…………….. 1

Machawe 30^th

BIG BEND – Capital city giants Mbabane Swallows made light work of minnows Amawele with a 4-1 win to claim bragging rights in this mini derby.

The Ingwenyama Cup Last 16 match was played under the hot sun at Mayaluka Stadium yesterday in front of a good crowd.

Umkhonto KaShaka showed their intent early on, with Nhlanhla Ngwenya scoring in the 13^th minute after a clever back-pass from Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala.

Amawele Captain Njabulo ‘Kitaza’ Magongo tried to find an equaliser five minutes later, but Ncomo Gina did well to protect goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela. At the other end, Mancoba ‘Nciba’ Vilakati set up Njongo Mazibuko, but goalkeeper Bhekisisa Sikhondze made the save.

The underdogs eventually levelled the score in the 30^th minute.

Machawe Dlamini stepped up for a set-piece and sent Mathabela the wrong way to make it 1-1.

However, Swallows restored their lead just before half-time. Nunu finished off a neat pass from Njongo to give the side led by Caleb ‘No Nonsense’ Ngwenya a 2-1 lead at the break.

In the second half, things went from bad to worse for Amawele.

Mozambican centre-back Celso Chauchane scored his first goal for Swallows with a powerful long-range free kick five minutes before the hour mark.

*Full article available on Pressreader*