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DERBY DRAW GIVES ‘INGWE’ TITLE

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Highlanders ...........................(0) 2
Sibusiso 62nd, Lungelo 78th
Swallows ...............................(2) 2
Njabulo 13th, Tony 26th

LOBAMBA – There was less drama, but still more goals in the Mbabane derby part II, as the two city rivals played to an entertaining 2-all draw.


Credit though should go to the two captains, Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze and Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze, who before kick-off appealed for peace and tolerance from both sets of supporters. Their wish was granted.


The result did not favour both teams but police side Royal Leopard who will celebrate the result when they return home tomorrow from their disastrous trip in Kinshasa against AS Vita in the CAF Confederations Cup where they lost 1-4 for a 4-2 aggregate score. At 44 points, they now lead second placed Swallows by five points, and will definitely hit 47 points on Wednesday when the FA DC awards them the three points and two goals from their cancelled match against Highlanders in the case of the latter’s playing cards drama.

That is even if Swallows are awarded their first round derby match abandoned with eight minutes where they were leading 4-1. The case is before the FA Appeals Board and the PLS seeks a review of an earlier judgment calling for a replay of the match in a case where Highlanders were charged for having caused the abandonment of the December 7, ill-fated derby. Swallows could at least reach a minimum of 45 points if awarded the points and further beat Malanti Chiefs in their last match this coming weekend. It is, therefore, safe to declare Leopard as champions.


Victory yesterday would have given Swallows more hope as they would have wished for Leopard to lose their pending league match against Red Lions on Thursday, but as it were, the clash will be nothing but a formality as the police would be crowned champions even before kicking a ball.

Without the drama of the first round that escalated into a mayhem, the less than 4 000 fans at the venue  - almost a third of those who watched the first round tie, were treated to great goals still.


There were fears of a repeat of the December 7 tie in the first half where Swallows completely dominated. In a game of two halves, Swallows took charge of the first half, scoring two goals inside the first 26 minutes through Njabulo Ndlovu and Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze from corner kicks. They were also denied a clear penalty by lanky referee Thulani Sibandze when Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa was recklessly upended inside the box by right-back turned centre back Banele Manyatsi. Shockingly, Sibandze ignored the incidents, which looked glaring even to the offender, two minutes before the recess with the score line reading 2-0 in favour of the then marauding ‘Birds.’


The ‘Black Bull’ went into the game without three key defenders in injured Karin Banter, suspended Sierra Leonean Baimba Kamara and left back Njabulo Tsela. Coach Enerst Mavuso gave debut to left back Vukile Khumalo who was jittery in the first half, but picked up in the last half.

 

 

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