(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
M.Swallows ........ (1) 1
Nhlanhla 64th
Manzini Sea Birds ........ (1) 1
Muzi 71st
Sea Birds won 3-2 after sudden death penalties
MANZINI– Mbabane Swallows are out of the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup after suffering a heartbreaking 3-2 defeat on penalties to Manzini Sea Birds.
The decisive moment came in sudden death when Sea Birds' Sinethemba Dlamini coolly converted his spot-kick, securing a quarter-final berth against Moneni Pirates on Wednesday. After the initial round of penalties ended 1-1, the shoot-out extended into sudden death, where Dlamini's strike proved to be the winner, leaving Swallows' dreams shattered.
The match itself was a pulsating encounter that ended 1-1 after 90 minutes of end-to-end action, forcing the drama to penalties. Swallows welcomed the formidable Nsingizini duo of Alvin Shabashie and Neliso Myeni into their ranks, adding firepower up front, while Sea Birds were missing four key players—Philani Mkhonto, Mayibongwe 'Suarez' Mabuza, Mpenduli Tfomo and Joseph Kibonge—who were on national team duty with Sihlangu ahead of their World Cup qualifier against Cameroon on Thursday. Swallows also had Newman Philiso absent for the same reason.
Despite ongoing infighting between Swallows Pty and FC that had raised fears of a downhearted performance, the capital giants came out aggressively, playing some slick football. By the 30-minute mark, they had peppered the Sea Birds goal with over four shots, dominating possession and creating chances. The Birds' supporters turned out in impressive numbers, with more than 1 000 fans packing the stands to roar on their team.
The first half concluded goalless, with Swallows firmly in control. Boosting their bench was Caleb Ngwenya, who had returned to the Swallows dugout after departing Moneni Pirates at the end of last season, having previously come through the club's ranks.
The second half ignited early when, in the 55th minute, Swallows' Ncomo Gina unleashed a thunderous volley that was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Sea Birds goalkeeper Lindani Mtsetfwa. Swallows finally broke the deadlock in the 64th minute: Milton Samuel's pinpoint through-ball found Nhlanhla Ngwenya, who rifled a low drive into the far post to beat Mtsetfwa and send the Swallows faithful into raptures.
Sea Birds, however, refused to lie down and levelled the scores just seven minutes later in the 71st minute. Muzi Tsabedze pounced on a loose ball inside the box and slotted home from close range to restore parity and set up a tense finish.
With 10 minutes left on the clock, Swallows brought in Satiso Ndwandwe as a replacement for Neliso Myeni, to sharpen their attacking edge. The closing stages turned into a breathless end-to-end battle, with both sides trading blows. Tsabedze had a golden chance for Sea Birds but blazed his volley wide of the target, while in the dying embers, Swallows' Njongo Mazibuko cracked a powerful shot goalwards, only for Mtsetfwa to produce a stunning save to deny him and force penalties that decided the outcome.
In the shoot-out, Swallows struck first through Sandanezwe Mathabela, but Sea Birds' Ndumiso Ndaba missed by firing over the bar. Sifiso Mabila saw his effort saved for Swallows, while Lwazi Bhembe's penalty was kept out by the Swallows keeper. Njongo Mazibuko then soared his shot over for Swallows, and Muzi Tsabedze's attempt was parried away. Mandla Palma missed for Swallows, but Mlandvo Tsabedze levelled it at 1-1 for Sea Birds. Alvin Shabashie's penalty was saved and Gcinizwi Dlamini's effort met the same fate. In sudden death, Milton Samuel's kick was stopped, paving the way for Sinethemba Dlamini to score and send Sea Birds through.
