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BADENHORST PENALTY EARNS ‘BIRDS’ WIN

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BIG BEND – A last gap penalty by Felix Badenhorst was enough to give Mbabane Swallows a slender win over tough rookies Madlenya yesterday as they wrapped up the first round.

The MTN Premier League match attracted an impressive crowd of slightly more or less 1 000 fans, who braved the sweltering temperatures. Despite temperatures rising to over 36 Degrees Celsius, both teams played entertaining football with the referee Thulani Tsabedze also sanctioning much-needed water breaks in-between. While Madlenya players were under pressure from their senior rivals, who have star players with international experience, they managed to stand the heat while also getting a fair share of their own chances to get something out of the clash, especially in the opening half. It was Swallows, as you would expect, that dominated and threatened, creating an avalanche of scoring opportunities in the second half but they missed until the spot kick saved the day and handed coach Caleb Ngwenya’s troops the all-important win. It was former Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) AS Vita, South Africa’s Mbombela United and TS Sporting lanky attacking midfielder Badenhorst, who stepped up to slot the ball home from the spot kick.

Sadly

This was sadly in stoppage time for Madlenya and there was no chance for any comeback as time was up. Badenhorst scored in the second minute of added time. The win lifted Swallows to the third spot from fifth and they now have 22 points, with a better goal difference to rookies Nsingzini Hotspurs who are now fourth. A better goal difference puts Swallwos above Nsingizini but fifth-placed Mbabane Highlanders could make it all shortlived stay with a win against ailing defending champions Royal Leopard this afternoon at Mavuso Sports Centre.
Nsingizini also have the same chance as Highlanders if they finish the round with a victory of their own against Tambankulu Callies at King Sobhuza II Memorial Stadium today. Rookies Madlenya on the other hand remain sixth with 19 points.

Coming to the game, Umkhonto KaShaka (Swallows) supporters had their moments with some decisions, which they felt could have been penalties but noting was given until the one that gave them the maximum points. Just before the hour, striker Bashir Mutanda was brought down inside the box then in the 70th Badenhorst was hacked as well but the match officials did not see anything foul and let the play go on.

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