‘BIRDS’ JUMP TO 3RD

MANZINI – It is going down to the wire.

There has been a shake-up in the battle for supremacy in the MTN Premier League, following mixed results for the top four yesterday. Mbabane Swallows narrowly beat Manzini Wanderers by 1-0 in a drama-filled clash played at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday, to make a strong statement about chasing their first league title since 2018. It was Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze’s goal which broke the hearts of the ‘Weslians’ faithful, after he headed home a goal which proved decisive at the end. The win meant not only had Swallows stretched their unbeaten run to 13 games, but leapfrogged the other strong title contenders, Young Buffaloes to the third spot with 54 points. Swallows remain four points behind log leaders Royal Leopard with five games to spare. Buffaloes could have maintained the third spot, only to be held to a 1-all draw by correctional side, Green Mamba yesterday at Prince of Wales Sports Ground.

Title chasing Mbabane Highlanders and Leopard have not removed the foot on the pedal yet as they both recorded wins,  with the former winning 3-1 while the police ensemble brushed aside a hard-fighting Manzini Sea Birds by 1-0 in other interesting MTN Premier league games yesterday. It was double joy for the white and red ensemble as they completed a double over the rivals, as in the reverse fixture they beat them with a same score margin. It was a game of two halves, with the Musa Manyatsi-led charges controlling the proceedings in the first-half, while the Velekhaya Mthethwa-coached side were a marvel to watch in the final-half. The game was also characterisd by dramatic scenes of flared tempers due to what the players and supporters alike felt were unfavouriable decisions against them, by referee of the day Thulani Sibandze.

Wanderers kit Manager Mandla Dlamini was shown red after he was caught on the wrong side by referee Sibandze. It was gathered that the kit manager made some unfavourable remarks to the linesman Zamani Simelane just eight minutes before half-time. This did not go down well with ‘Weslians’ supporters who threatened the match officials as they went back into their tunnels at home time. Earlier, ‘Pupu’ had a free header after a Vukile Khumalo volley was parried into the former Polokwane City star, who was unmarked three yards out on the right side of the post, nodded home to provoke scenes of celebrations from the visiting over 1 000 fans. After resumption, it was the hosts’ show, after they came back firing on all cylinders. Despite their relentless attacks, the home side could not find the equaliser.

Fans

Their attacks broke in the final third. At one point the home fans tried to rise from their seats and charge towards the linesman, Simelane. Interventions from the Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) saved the day for the match officials, as the impatient fans heard none of it. This was just eight minutes before full-time, where Kwakyi Kingsley was thought to have prevented Njabulo ‘Koko’ Gama’s shot from entering the net by shielding it with his hand. Referee Sibandze waved played on and the ball was cleared by Vukile Khumalo just before it crossed the goalline. Felix had a chance to hit the last nail in the coffin, but goalkeeper Bongiswa Dlamini dived and parried the ball for a fruitless corner on the stroke of full-time.

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