‘TT’ INSPIRES ‘BIRDS’ COMEBACK

Swallows................................(0)3
Tony 55th, 73rd, Felix 68th
Midas City.............................(1)1
Khethokuhle 39th

LOBAMBA – Inspirational Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze masterminded Mbabane Swallows’ come-from-behind performance to help the Castle Premier Challenge defending champions through to the semi-finals.

Despite starting on the back foot, Midas Mbabane City who were playing their first official game of the campaign took the lead before the breather. Midfielder Khethokuhle Mkhontfo made a clever run to the near post to meet a Linda Msibi free kick with a deft touch to bring the ball down, calmly slotting it home after 39 minutes.

The singing on the right side of the Somhlolo National Stadium’s Royal Box suddenly went dead silent and the fans were surely being reminded of their team’s recent defeat to Manzini Wanderers in the Swazi Telecom Charity Cup.
However, after resumption of the second half Tsabedze orchestrated his side’s comeback. The Sihlangu skipper levelled matters in the 55th minute when he controlled inside the big box an outside footed Sifiso Mabila cross on the right, beating two defenders before scoring past returning Machawe Mamba at the Midas City goal.

Exciting forward Felix Badenhorst headed Swallows in front eight minutes after the hour mark after he was neatly picked on the far post by Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko before Tsabedze killed off the game with a 25-yard scorcher after 73 minutes.
Simanga Shongwe, the Midas City striker proved he will be one of the players to watch in the new season and could have got his name on the score sheet 23 minutes into the game after being sent through to goal but his shot went wide. A minute later, Felix cleverly chipped the ball over an advancing Machawe only to see his effort bounce off the cross bar.
Though City is out of the Castle Cup Top 8 knockout in just their first appearance in the tournament’s history, the Caleb Ngwenya-led charges will compete again this season. While they played for each other, fighting for every ball as if their lives depended on the outcome of the game, Swallows’ individual brilliance was the determining factor on the chilly afternoon here.
Even Prince Mcwasho who sat at the Royal Box could afford a smile at the sound of referee Leticia Viana’s final whistle. A handful crowd watched the first quarterfinals of the tournament with a staggering E800 000 winner-takes-all prize.     

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