SWALLOWS OUT OF FIRST ROUND ‘CARROT’ RACE

NHLANGANO – Tambankulu Callies flushed Mbabane Swallows’ first round championship hopes down the drain in a 1-all draw here yesterday afternoon.

The MTN Premier League first round E350 000 ‘carrot’ race has turned into a two-horse race between log leaders, Royal Leopard and the defending champions  Young Buffaloes as  Mbabane Swallows remain third but now 10 points behind log leaders, Royal Leopard with one game to play.

thriller

Witnessed yesterday afternoon was a thriller match between Swallows and newcomers Tambankulu Callies at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium. As premonition by one renowned local media scribe, this venue has indeed proven to be both a curse and a blessing for Bishop Lukhele’s ensemble, as he watched in disbelief with fingers crossed and cognisant of the danger posed by the sugar belt boys’ fighting spirit. Callies, now four points behind their targeted 15 first round points, drew the first blood through captain Sebenele Magagula’s 36th minute header.

A stunned Mbabane Swallows squabbled to equalise but  their entrusted warriors, Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze and Sandile Hlatshwako’s efforts never saw the light of day. Two missed headers by Hlatshwako and at least three deflected shots on target by Tsabedze saw them go into the second half trailing by one goal. Christopher Ennin’s second half substitute Simanga Shongwe sunk Swallows  hopeful hearts, with three headers swaying aimlessly like an unanchored yacht in the middle of a raging ocean.

Pressured to equalise with emotions brewing from within, Swallows’  Hlatshwako and Kingu Pemba were slammed with yellow cards by referee Letticia Viena 20 minutes before full time for fouls committed against Callies’ goalkeeper and the rocket passed striker Mazwi Sihlongonyane, who was toppled outside the box by Kingu. Njabulo Ndlovu saved the red and white city giants when he planted a header past goalkeeper Ncanawe Ndladla, who managed to make remarkable saves during the fierce battle. Two minutes added time was insufficient for either sides to score a winner as they both missed clear chances. The match ended in a 1-all draw with Swallows now 10 points behind Royal Leopards on the log summit and Young Buffaloes second with 34 points.

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