BIRDS’ IN 7TH HEAVEN

MKHUZWENI - Trigger-happy Mbabane Swallows can smell their seventh MTN Premier League title following a commanding 7-2 victory over 10-man Manzini Sea Birds yesterday.

With three games to go, Swallows made light of the listless opposition in the one-sided MTN Premier League clash played at the Mkhuzweni Technical Centrem to stay two points clear at the top. Caleb Ngwenya’s men who play the Mbabane derby in their next outing are still forced to look over their shoulders as current holders Green Mamba breathe heavily down their neck after beating Ezulwini United by 3-0 in a simultaneous fixture. For Sea Birds, who are winless in eight straight league matches, they now have relegation concerns. Izinyoni Zolwande remain five points above the drop zone. They lost by 1-3 to Wanderers at the same venue last week and came to yesterday’s fixture with their backs against the wall after failure to score in the last three meetings with Swallows.

It did not take long for Swallows to get off the mark, with marksman Ayanda ‘Gandaganda’ Gadlela breaking the deadlock with a bullet header from a Sibusiso Masuku cross in the 21st minute to take his tally for the season to 10. In the 29th minute, Sea Birds were reduced to 10 men, in dramatic fashion. Veteran forward Muzi Tsabedze was first cautioned by Referee Celumusa Siphepho for a reckless challenge on Newman Philiso before he was instantly sent off for dissent.

Advantage

Boasting numerical advantage, the home side stretched their lead when Tony ‘Ben 10’ Machacha set up Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala after a counter attack to beat the advancing goalkeeper Bafana Ngwenya with a low shot a minute before the break. Swallows took the two-goal cushion to the break. Sea Birds  who had Joseph Kibonge as a point of reference upfront after the forced substitution of Sandumuzi Zwane were still on the back foot on resumption of play. As they stuttered in clearing their lines, an unmarked Gadlela fired a low shot inside the box to complete his brace while scoring Swallows’ third in the 47th minute. Against the run of play, full-back Sanele Mkhweli pulled one back for Sea Birds with a gorgeous free kick from just outside the box to stun his former employers seven minutes into the second half.

Swallows’ appetite for goals remained insatiable, with Nunu completing his brace to make it four for Swallows just before the hour mark. He bulldozed his way into the box after outpacing Sibusiso Dlamini to beat the goalkeeper from close range. The hosts remained in the ascendancy and introduced the likes of Nhlanhla Ngwenya, Siyabonga ‘Gusheshe’ Zwane and Leon Manyisa to add more firepower. From a Manyisa corner, substitute Sabelo ‘Sawa’ Gamedze mistakenly fired past his own goalkeeper in the 73rd minute. Sea Birds did not want to go down without a fight, with Joseph Kibonge firing home a stunner outside the box against the run of play 10 minutes from time. Swallows responded seven minutes later through Nhlanhla Ngwenya who made it 6-2, following another brisk attack. Siyabonga Zwane provided the assist. Deep into stoppage time, Kwakhe ‘Stopper’ Thwala completed the rout after capitalising on the goalkeeper’s botched clearance. The red and white ensemble face Highlanders next in the massive fixture before facing off with Ezulwini United and Young Buffaloes, in that order.

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