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‘BIRDS’ TWO-GOOD FOR MALANTI

20/12/2021 08:54:00 BY LWAZI DLAMINI

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NHLANGANO – Four out of four!

Mbabane Swallows’ fourth win in a row – a 2-0 victory over Malanti Chiefs - has lifted the red and white glamour side to position four on the MTN log standings.
After a traumatic start to the season in which they lost the opening two matches 0-1 against Royal Leopard and Green Mamba, drew 2-2 with Vovovo FC, Swallows’ four consecutive wins have brought back belief as they brushed aside a lethargic Malanti Chiefs without even breaking a sweat here yesterday.

Ugandan international Matanda Bashir netted his second goal of the campaign in the 28th minute before lanky striker Sandile Hlatjwako scored his first goal of the season in the 71st minute against his former club. Swallows didn’t play particularly well as the basement club, Malanti Chiefs packed their defence and relied on counter-attacks which failed to yield any goals. The Motshane-based outfit suffered their sixth defeat in seven games and remain rooted at the foot of the log table.

Yesterday, from as early as the 9th minute they could have gone behind when referee Thokozani Dlamini awarded Swallows a penalty after ‘D4D’ was fouled inside the box by defender, Muzi Mnisi. Captain Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze’s meek spot-kick was bravely saved by goalkeeper Xolani Gama. But this did not stop Swallows, who were invading Malanti’s rear-guard like hungry monkeys on an unguarded maize field, taking the lead in the 28th minute through Matanda Bashir. Just like he did when he scored his first goal of the season in the 33rd minute against Tambuti FC here on November 24, Bashir positioned himself well to nod home a Sandile Hlatjwako cross from the right flank.

Hlatjwako then opened his scoring account of the season, running through a lacerating through pass from ‘D4D’ which was so inch-perfect it would have defied all the rules of geometry, before side-footing the advancing goalkeeper Gama and even celebrated before walking the ball into the net in the 71st minute. It was enough to ensure the Swallows of Mbabane continued with their revival which has seen them win four games on the trot to jump to the fourth spot with 13 points, a point behind surprise package, Tambankulu Callies who they face on Wednesday, December 29 at Tambankulu Stadium.