RESURGENT ‘BIRDS’ FLY TO SECOND SPOT

Swallows .................................(1)2
Tony 27th , Wonder 55th
Buffaloes ..................................(1)1
Phiwa 44th

LOBAMBA – Forceful giants Mbabane Swallows are marching on and on in the MTN Premier League. A wasteful Young Buffaloes, who are fellow league title hopefuls, learnt the hard way, losing 2-1 to get the opposition closer to the top in a pulsating encounter at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday. The capital city giants had all the reasons to be merry after recording a sixth straight win which ensured they jumped from the fourth to the second spot.

Swallows threatened from the onset but faced resistance from the opposition who pressed hard towards the half hour mark. There was an adrenalin  rush among the over 200 home supporters in the 18th minute when lanky forward, Phiwa Dlamini, hit the woodwork with a strong header from a Mpendulo ‘Biano’ Kunene in the 18th minute, but the former was eventually ruled out for off-side.

Swallows were exposed at the back but quickly launched an attack against the run of play. Dependable skipper Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze fired home from an awkward angle from a Felix Badenhorst pass to break the deadlock in the 27th minute.

Buffaloes had a great opportunity to cancel the lead a minute later but lanky forward, Phiwa Dlamini, shot wide with only goalkeeper, Nicho Francis to beat from a Nhlanhla ‘Mshengu’ Kunene pass. However, the security forces side did not give up, and their efforts finally paid dividends as Dlamini made amends for his earlier blushes, beating Francis  with a  long range free kick a minute from the recess. Mancoba Ndwandwe had brought down Dumisani Mdluli to give the opposition advantage. It was the last throw of the dice of a wasteful half for Buffaloes.

Swallows were more adventurous immediately after the restart and deservedly restored their lead through veteran midfielder, Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko, who fired home from a goal-mouth scramble in the 55th minute.
It was the same story for Charles Bwale’s charges as they kept asking questions but wasted countless clear chances on the last third of the pitch.

‘Mshengu’ was unlucky in the 74th minute as he saw his venomous long range effort parried to safety by the ever- alert Francis.
 Swallows’ defence were kept on their toes in the last 10 minutes but held onto the narrow win to unseat rivals, Mbabane Highlanders on the second spot with 32 points in 16 games. The latter who are on 30 points face Manzini Sundowns in a must win encounter later today.

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