‘BIRDS SLAY ‘WESLIANS’, GO TOP

MANZINI – Mbabane Swallows reclaimed pole position after beating Manzini Wanderers 1-3 in an MTN Premier League match played here yesterday.

Strikes from  defenders Newman Philiso, Kwakhe Thwala and striker Samba Orion lifted the capital city giants from the second spot to the summit of the log, temporarily ahead of Green Mamba, who have a chance to snatch it if they beat Madlenya today. The win enhanced the Caleb Ngwenya-led side to contend for the E100 000 first-round incentive, with three games remaining before the curtains fall for the first stanza of the 2023/24 season. This was Swallows’ sixth consecutive league win against the maroon and white outfit, who last defeated them during the 2020/21 season first round. Meanwhile, the hub giants remained rooted deep into the relegation zone, perched on position 13 with six points in 10 outings.

Wanderers were the first to make impressions towards scoring as early as the third minute, after Thokozani Dlamini’s first whistle. Mancoba ‘Spider’ Maseko’s well-taken shot hit the woodwork and bounced off with Qiniso Nyawo napping between the sticks. This roused Swallows, who made significant attempts on goal. Oscar Zitha headed to the pole at the 12th minute and his attempt was cleared for a fruitless corner. The visitors eventually broke the deadlock a minute later through national team Sihlangu defender Newman Philiso, who connected a gift-wrapped cross by Kwakhe Thwala for the first goal of the match. Thwala almost grabbed the second goal two minutes before the half-hour mark, but his curling cross hit the bar, for Wanderers’ defence to clear it away.

dangerous

Just after the half-hour mark, Nyanga ‘Crooks’ Hlophe made the quickest substitution pulling out Jabulani Mavimbela for Lindelwa Dludlu. The game then went for a swing in the last 10 minutes of the first half, with the hub giants making some dangerous knocks aimed at equalising. Among other chances, they got, Siphamandla Dhlamini had a chance to neutralise the score at the 43rd minute, after cutting loose, but wasted the chance thinking he was offside. The game went to the break with the hosts trailing. At the restart, Caleb ‘No Nonsense’ Ngwenya made three changes, introducing Sifiso Mabila, Tony Machacha and Siyabonga Zwane, pulling out Philiso, Ncomo Gina and Zitha, respectively. Five minutes into the second half, Kwakhe found a breakthrough with a curling corner that kissed the net in front of an eagle-eyed Felix Badenhorst.

Three minutes before the hour mark, Lindelwa Dludlu came close to pulling one back. He dribbled into the box with defenders to unleash a low power shot that did not threaten Nyawo.
It was Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) import in lanky striker Orion who hit the final nail in the ‘Weslians’ coffin, who benefited from a clever pass from Badenhorst to volley the ball past the advancing goalkeeper Simiso Tsabedze. This was his first goal in the country. He was denied a brace in the 76th minute, when he was flagged for an offside. The maroon and white outfit pulled one back with 12 minutes before regulation time, through  second half substitute Ndumiso Dlamini, who was teed-up by Banele ‘Banny’ Mdluli to stain Nyawo’s sheet. The referee blew his final whistle to confirm the ‘Birds’ as the temporary log leaders, while adding to Wanderers’ woes.

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