‘D4D’ MAN OF THE MATCH AS ‘BIRDS’ OUST RED LIONS

Swallows......................................2
Tony 7th, Felix 25th
Red Lions....................................1
Mzwandile 33rd

MBABANE – It all came together for Mbabane Swallows on Friday night when they narrowly ousted a resilient Red Lions out of the Castle Premier Challenge  with a 2-1 scoreline as midfielder Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu’s return inspired the red and white outfit.

Without his creativity in the big derby last Sunday, things did not come together for Swallows as they did in the Castle Premier Challenge 2015 Top 8 Knockout at Somhlolo National Stadium. His return, together with winger Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko, added the spark they lacked last weekend with the former deservedly taking the Man of the Match Award valued at E1 200.

It was not an easy game the pair returned to as Red Lions, or call them Hlasela Bhubesi, matched them pound for pound, at times threatened to wrap up the game as it turned out to be an end to end game.
However, as much as it was a fun-filled, fast-flowing encounter, it was Swallows who almost paid dearly here as losing would have been very harsh on them given their three denied goals on the night on grounds of offside.

Otherwise, referee Mbongiseni Fakudze handled the fast-paced game well overall despite the close off-side calls with two of the three denied goals, the first by Tony and another by striker Sandile Hlatshwako.
Swallows enjoyed every bit of pass by Ndlovu who ruled in midfield and could have also scored but his unselfishness gave it all to his teammates. Swallows were up as early as 7th minute through captain and winger Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze as they immediately got things going with a brilliant start that threatened a hailstorm of goals.

Tsabedze was nicely set up by Nldovu inside the six area box after brilliant footwork to create passing space and slip the ball on Tsabedze’s path whose job was only to shoot past the hapless Red Lions’ goalkeeper Mcolisi Dlamini.
Six minutes later, Tsabedze was on target again with a header from a Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko corner kick but was adjudged to be off side as he sneaked in from behind defenders to nod it home. However, there was no denying midfielder Felix Bandenhorst in the 25th, who also rose above defenders to nod home from a right wing corner kick.

Swallows were in total control of things here with Ndlovu initiating just about every move as he combined well with Felix who also had a brilliant game on the night but Red Lions then found their feet and their first move forward just after the hour mark resulted to a much needed goal.

Referee Mbongiseni Fakudze had to give a good advantage to bulky striker Muntu Mamba who had been fouled by his teammates Solomon Oladele, another gem in the game who picked up the pieces and crossed into the box whereby the defence failed to clear only for the speedy Mzwandile ‘Navara’ Ndzimandze to beat goalkeeper Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza with a powerful low shot. It was game on as the score stood at 2-1 with Red Lions now taking the game to their rivals as they finished the half strongly but Felix had a goal denied in the 34th for off side before the teams went into the breather.

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