MALANTI HOLD ‘BIRDS’

LOBAMBA – Malanti Chiefs removed the spark from Mbabane Swallows coronation as MTN League First round champions, as they held the capital city giants 1-all yesterday.

They became the third team after Matsapha United and Young Buffaloes to avoid defeat against the defending champions who have now gone 35 games unbeaten in the league. They were eventually handed over the E350 000 cheque for being the best in the first half of the season. And surely no one can dispute their credentials given that they have won 10 games, drawn only three to finish at 33 points, two ahead of second-placed Young Buffaloes who beat Matsapha United 2-0 on Saturday to finish the first round with 31 points. In a day of draws, after Mbabane Highlanders and Moneni Pirates had laboured to a barren stalemate in the first game, Malanti Chiefs went home psychologically upbeat from the result.

However, for Swallows, coach Thabo ‘Koki’ Vilakati opted to define the result as a wakeup call ahead of the commencement of the second round, which Premier League of Swaziland PLS COO Petros Vilakati said has been scheduled for the weekend. Swallows did create some chances against a tactically disciplined Malanti Chiefs side that has vastly improved under Zambian mentor Christopher Tembo, himself a former Swallows coach. The capital city giants forced a goal line clearance inside the first minute of the tie, when a corner kick from Wonder Nhleko found Sanele Mkhweli inside the five yards whose smashing header was mopped off the line by Bongani Tshabalala.

A minute later, Captain Tony Tsabedze combined with Sandile Hlatshwako, only for the former to see his shot bravely saved by Malanti’s Ntokozo Shabangu in goals. The assessment at the time, gave the impression that Swallows would have a field day, but as the game progressed so did Malanti’s confidence. They maintained shape, pressed the ball hard to stifle any form of creativity in the belly of the park, where youngster Sizolwethu Shabangu was the shining star. Once again, Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu was submerged under the pressure from Seto Tekwa and Sifiso Makhubu who were taking no prisoners.

Sizolwethu was unlucky four minutes into the game, when after being set through by Banele Pupu Sikhondze shot over the crossbar with the goalkeeper having long strayed out of his area. Malanti’s first attempt on goal came seven minutes into the game, through Lindokuhle Fakudze whose lame shot went wide of Sandanezwe Mathabela guarded goals. The Pigg’s Peak based side was beginning to match their opponents in all departments as the tie grew older, but their resistance finally broke four minutes after the half hour mark, and allowed Under-20 star Sizolwethu Shabangu to cap his good day in the office with a nice finish at five yards. Before the goal, Malanti Chiefs’ Ntokozo Shabangu had bravely saved Sanele Mkhweli’s blasting shot, who had first beat a poorly arranged offside trap, controlled a pass at 13 yards, but saw his shot saved by the agile goalminder.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: