Chaos as ‘Birds’ fly out, lose E225k

(At Mavuso Sports Centre)

Swallows …………………………………(0) 0

Buffaloes ………………………………..(2) 3

Ali 9^th, Njabulo 16^th, ‘Saviola’ 75^th (PEN)

MANZINI  – The historical dominance of Mbabane Swallows in the Ingwenyama Cup came to a shuddering, chaotic halt at the Mavuso Sports Centre.

In a quarter-final billed as a clash of titans, the three-time champions were yesterday dismantled 3-0 by 2019 winners Young Buffaloes, falling victim to defensive frailties and a mid-match melee that perfectly encapsulated their stuttering season.

The stakes could not have been higher. Beyond the prestige of the silverware that has eluded them since 2018, a place in the semi-finals carried a guaranteed E225 000. By crashing out at this stage, Swallows must settle for only E75 000, which is a bitter financial pill to swallow for the capital giants. The atmosphere was electric from the onset. Swallows’ faithful brought a wall of sound, led by a brass band and rhythmic drumming. They were further buoyed by the return of young forward Njongo Mazibuko, back from a horror ankle injury. However, the optimism in the stands was not mirrored on the pitch. Despite slippery conditions, the pace was blistering. It took only nine minutes for Buffaloes to silence the home crowd. As the Swallows backline stuttered in clearing their lines, Ali Matse produced a moment of pure quality, curling a strike from 20 yards that left the veteran goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela stranded. Swallows attempted an immediate riposte through Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula, but his effort was smothered. The defensive rot, however, ran deep. Opting for a porous zonal marking system over man-to-man coverage, Swallows were caught napping again in the 16^th minute. A Mazwi Sihlongonyane corner was not cleared by  Philani Matsebula, whose botched header fell perfectly for Njabulo Maziya to double the lead. The match descended into anarchy as the half-time whistle blew. Before the players could reach the safety of the tunnels, a commotion erupted at the Buffaloes goalpost following reports of a foreign substance being poured onto the goalposts.

Swallows fitness Coach Siza Dlamini rushed to the scene, sparking a mass confrontation involving players and officials. Police were forced to intervene to calm incited supporters, as the VIP area occupied by Minister Sikhumbuzo Dlamini and Parliament Sports Portfolio Committee Chairman Member of Parliament ( MP) Sifiso Shabalala watched on in disbelief. Hoping for a miracle, Swallows introduced the experienced Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala for the second half. It proved futile. Ncomo Gina was adjudged to have brought down Owa Matsebula in the area in the 75^th minute, allowing Sandile ‘Saviola’ Gamedze to coolly convert the penalty.

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