‘BIRDS’ BEAT ’DOWNS, FLY TO FOURTH!

MANZINI – Good things come to those who wait.

This old adage held true for glamour giants who were forced to wait for over an hour because of bad weather before narrowly beating a resolute Manzini Sundowns by 1-0 yesterday. The capital city giants looked to continue with their rejuvenation when they visited the green and yellow ensemble in the final MTN Premier League clash of the year at Mavuso Sports Centre.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the clash after play was interrupted for one hour 18 minutes due to lightning and heavy rain, just before half time, Swallows defied all odds to grab all the points at stake.

stopped

The two sides had a fair share of chances of breaking the deadlock before play was stopped in the 38th minute, with the red and white ensemble’s striker, Sandile Hlatshwako denied by Sandanezwe Mathabela in the opening minute. Sundowns had Sandumuzi Zwane deprived of a scoring opportunity by the woodwork in the 29th minute.

With the pitch water-logged on resumption of play, Swallows caught the opposition off-guard as skipper Tony ‘TT’’ Tsabedze forced Jimoh Moses to handle the ball in the box in the 39th minute. Veteran midfielder, Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko, made no mistake from 12 yards.

Sundowns, who threatened through former Swallows winger, Darren ‘Dazza’ Christie, came back strongly after the restart but the visitors still had their foot on the accelerator. The pitch condition proved a serious stumbling block for players to move the ball around and the over 600 boisterous supporters had to wait for the entire half for more goals to be scored. The sound of referee, Simanga Nhleko’s final whistle, meant Swallows, who were boosted by the return of playmaker, Felix Badenhorst who was trying his luck at South Africa’s Mamelodi Sundowns, will finish the year on the fourth spot with 20 points. Sundowns’ 18 points saw them relegated to the seventh spot after 13 matches.

Proceedings had begun with a moment of silence in honour of the late Lubombo Regional Football Association (LRFA) Vice Chairman, Christopher Stewart, who will be buried this morning.

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