STORM SPOILS BIRDS ‘PARTY’

NHLANGANO – League title hopefuls Mbabane Swallows were in cruise control when the unthinkable happened in Nhlangano yesterday.

The match was cancelled two minutes into the second half following a heavy downpour. The ‘Beautiful Birds’ were enjoying a 2-0 lead courtesy of first half goals via the boots of experienced winger Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko and Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu, when ‘Mother Nature’ had the final say. The game started on a high tempo as both sides wanted an early goal. It was Swallows who made the first attempt at goal, when ‘D4D’ let fly a scorcher just outside the box, which was cleared by ‘Bobhejane’s’ goalkeeper Ncanawe Ndlandla for a fruitless corner.

Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze sliced nicely into the box, leaving Callies dead as he surged toward the danger zone. He skilfully entered the 18 area, but was hacked by Jimoh Moses inside the box. Referee Thokozani Dlamini did not hesitate but pointed to the penalty spot. The experienced ‘Samba Jive’ stepped up to slot home his sixth goal of the season. ‘Umkhonto kaShaka’ should have added another goal in the 38th minute as ‘Pupu’ danced his way towards the danger zone and delivered a well weighted cross which was met by the head of ‘D4D’, but his effort was cleared for a fruitless corner with the keeper well beaten.

excellent

Vukile Khumalo laid an excellent pass to Ndlovu three minutes before  half-time. He raced towards goal and he calmly chipped the ball over the advancing Ndlandla and the ball rested on the far corner of the net. Callies’ clear chance came a minute before half-time, through Zimbabwean import Ayanda Sibanda, who let fly a rocket  outside the box, which was parried for a fruitless corner by Sandanezwe Mathabela. The game was then stopped two minutes into the second half when the hailstorm started. The players, supporters and referees ran helter-skelter in search for shelter. After about 15 minutes, the referees came out to inspect the pitch. Mbabane Swallows officials tried to remove the hail from the pitch but in vain. Efforts to remove the ‘stones’ using onsite equipment were in vain. This left referee Thokozani Dlamini with no choice but to call off the entertaining match. Match Commissioner Makinati Shongwe said after inspecting the pitch, they had to call off the game as it would take time for the hail to melt as it was extremely cold after the storm had passed.

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