‘BIRDS’ FLY TO 2ND

Sports Editor

(At Somhlolo National Stadium)
Mb. Swallows..................(1) 3
Njabulo 3rd, Tony 78th, 84th
Matsapha United............(0) 0

LOBAMBA – Inspirational Mbabane Swallows captain, Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze rolled back the years with a fantastic brace as the ‘Beautiful Birds’ condemned hapless Matsapha United to their eighth defeat of a nightmarish maiden season in a 3-0 routing here yesterday.

Wearing his trademark jersey 17, exactly 17 years to the day he made his debut as a pimpled-faced 17-year-old twinkle-toed youngster in the blue and white of Mhlambanyatsi Rovers, the veteran winger grabbed a late second half brace within six minutes to bring Swallows back into the first round E350 000 first prize contention with three games remaining.

After presumed run-away leaders, Green Mamba suffered another shocking defeat, a 1-0 loss to Malanti Chiefs in the first match here yesterday – their second defeat in four days after going down 2-1 to Mbabane Highlanders at Mavuso Sports Centre on Wednesday night - Swallows now trail the ‘Correctional Services’ side by just four points.

Loss

Perhaps Caleb Ngwenya’s Green Mamba 0-1 loss to Malanti Chiefs ignited the two-times defending champions to raise their game because as early as the 3rd minute, industrious midfielder, Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, shockingly left out of the national team, Sihlangu for the AFCON qualifier against Niger on Sunday, scored the easiest goal of his illustrious career. Wasteful striker, Tarawallie Sallieu’s gift-wrapped cross took a deflection on a defender eluding the desperate hands of goalkeeper, Innocent Obodai Adja thus allowing ‘D4D’ to literally walk the ball home unmarked.
Then Swallows reserve goalkeeper, Ntokozo Shabangu, chosen ahead of woefully off-form Sandanezwe Mathabela, justified his selection with a brilliant one hand save from a treacherous Thami Zulu free kick in the 12th minute of the game watched by a disappointing crowd of less than 1 000 people.
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