TONY SINKS ’DOWNS

Sports Editor

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)

Mb. Swallows.........................(1) 2,
Mkhweli 13th, Tony 50th
Mnz. Sundowns.....................(1) 1,
Figureido 36th

LOBAMBA – As the icing on top of the cake goes, this was the sweetest imaginable for inspirational Mbabane Swallows captain, Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze in his 19-year glittering football career.

The most decorated Swallows captain in the club’s 69-year chequered history last night, scored a worldie gem of a goal that not only ensured the defending league champions stretched their unbeaten league record to 26 games – having last lost a game on May 15 2016 to Royal Leopard 3-1 – but went to sleep two points ahead of premier league rookies Matsapha United at the summit of the log.

The ambitious Matsapha-based side outfit leapfrogged Young Buffaloes, who could only play to a 2-all draw with Manzini Wanderers in the first game here, after beating a wasteful Green Mamba 2-1 at Mavuso Sports Centre.

In a career spanning 19 years now, the 36-year-old Tsabedze received a pass from back-in the-line up, jersey number 11, Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze before releasing a bullet-like shot from 35 yards, five minutes after the recess to beat Sundowns goalkeeper, Lwethu Simelane hands down. It was a goal so sweet it could have been eaten for dessert. It was a goal that not only was as sweet as a nectarine but over-time, it will create a folklore of its own. The 2 000 fans who braved the distinctively chilly Wednesday night, will consider themselves lucky to have witnessed a goal of such supreme quality from a player who has lifted so many trophies, it could very well be his favourite past-time.

 In a fiercely contested encounter, Sundowns, to their credit, were not overawed by their more illustrious opponents who are still yet to hit their strides like last season, when they went the entire league competition unbeaten.
The Ernest Mavuso side gave a good account themselves and deservedly got the equaliser after poor defending from Swallows rear-guard, through a simple tap in from striker Justice Figureido six minutes after the half-hour mark. Swallows had taken the lead via left full back, Sanele Mkhweli, who finished coolly unmarked inside the box a Tony Tsabedze’s well-weighted corner kick in the 13th minute.

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