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BRAVE ‘BIRDS’ GO DOWN 1-0

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Azam........................................ (0)1
Singano 84th
Swallows.................................. (0)0

MBABANE – CAF Confederations Cup envoys Mbabane Swallows fought gallantly before suffering a 0-1 loss to Azam FC away in Tanzania last night.


Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati’s troops  had visited the East African giants in  a first round opening match at the 7000-seater  Azam Complex Stadium in Dar es Salaam, standing their ground for prolonged periods before their defence cracked just six minutes from time.

It was one Singano, who broke the audacious’ visitors hearts when he beat an offside trap, to give his side an advantage ahead of return match at Somhlolo National Stadium on Sunday. Swallows have to overturn the deficit by scoring at least two unanswered goals to progress to a play-off match with one of the teams that will be eliminated in the CAF Champions League.


It was like a stab in the heart for the travelling side after creating enough chances to score the all-important away goal. While Azam, who had opted to throw more bodies forward, dominated the early exchanges, Swallows’ confidence levels shot up as the game progressed. Skipper Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze’s glancing header went agonisingly wide before forcing goalkeeper Manula to make a double save just before the goal-less break.

 
Aristica Cioaba’s charges, who have claimed big scalps that include South Africa’s Bidvest Wits and Tunisia’s Esperance at the same venue in the past year,  were still on the front foot on resumption of play, but were kept at bay by the ever-alert ‘Birds’ shot-stopper, Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza. However, the over 5 000 home supporters that crammed the venue, still had wooden faces by the hour-mark as the capital city giants still asked questions, with ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko’s curled  effort parried to safety.


Dribbling wizard Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze had also ‘swallowed’ Azam’s Kangwa, but was fouled just before storming the box.
Just when the visitors, who paraded a relative unchanged squad, were hoping to force a stalemate, the hosts eventually found the winner.

 

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