FOUR-MIDABLE ‘BIRDS’ SWEET REVENGE

BIG-BEND- Revenge is a dish best served cold.

This idiom holds true for Mbabane Swallows who avenged their 2-1 defeat in the first round when they annihilated Rangers 4-0 here yesterday. Despite the impressive win, the ‘Birds’ remain on the fourth spot with 36 points. Had Buffaloes lost, Swallows could have been tied on points with the army side having a superior goal difference. Buffaloes secured maximum points after a slender 1-0 over Vovovo, to maintain their third spot with 39 points and are also tied second with Royal Leopard who have a superior goal difference and two games in hand. On top of the pile is Mbabane Highlanders on 43 points. The log leaders missed an opportunity to stretch their lead at the top six points after being held to a goal-less draw against Tinyosi on Saturday at Mavuso Sports Centre.

Swallows were on target three times in the first half and buried the game, scoring then adding the fourth goal in the last stanza. James Nguluve, Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko, Nhlanhla Ngwenya and Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu all registered their names on the scorers chart. The red, blue and white ensemble proved that they wanted the game the most after they scored on their first attack. It was Nguluve who peeled away from two defenders on the right flank and unleashed a powerful shot that was parried into play by Rangers goalkeeper Simiso Mabuza. Nguluve followed it up and finished from close range a minute into the game. The visitors almost levelled matters in the quarter hour mark, but Swallows goalminder Sandanezwe Mathabela pulled a beautiful save from Sibonelo Mhlanga. Just two minutes before the half-hour mark, the hosts doubled matters through a Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko goal which he converted sending the goalkeeper to the wrong direction. This is after Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze was brought down by Sibusiso Masuku inside the danger zone.

looped

Two minutes later, Nhlanhla Ngwenya charged the box and looped the ball past the advancing keeper to make it 3-0. After restart, the visitors came back recharged and made two shots on target inside ten minutes of play. The first effort, a volley from Katumba Henock but was saved by Mathabela. Siphamandla Mabuza’s ground shot missed the target by inches with the keeper well beaten. After those two attempts, Swallows dominated proceedings with ‘D4D’ enjoying himself and making Umkhonto KaShaka play. With 12 minutes left on the clock, ‘D4D’ capped his good performance after converting from the spot. This is after Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala was hacked inside the box by Simo Mtjali and referee Thokozani Dlamini did not hesitate but pointed on the spot.

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