AMAWELE DRUB SWALLOWS IN ROOKIES CLASH

MBABANE - Amawele emerged victorious against Masundwini Royal Swallows in the MTN National First Division (NFD) newcomers’ battle played here two days ago.

Unanswered goals by Hlobisani ‘Pepper’ Maphanga, Captain Njabulo Magongo and Mhlengi ‘Jizza’ Mngometulu ensured that Amawele collected maximum points on the day, eapfrogging Swallows on the log charts. This victory elevated Ncamiso Nxumalo’s charges from eighth to the seventh spot ahead of today’s lower division fixtures. Meanwhile, Coach Meshack Masuku’s side suffered a fourth consecutive defeat, slipping from sixth to eighth spot.Amawele were the better side on the day, bossing the game with smooth transitions and sharpness up front. The visitors, however, were blunt and tried to turn the game on its head in the last 20 minutes but could not.

Birthday

Birthday boy ‘Pepper’ opened the scoring before the half-hour mark, slotting home from close range to dust off Swallows, who were pushing to break the deadlock at first. His strike proved the only difference until half-time. Upon resumption, Magongo registered his name with a quick one. ‘Pepper’ dished a cross for the captain, who beat the goalkeeper at the near post, shooting between a forest of legs in the 46th minute. As Swallows failed to reduce the deficit, ‘Jizza’ worsened the score from a spot-kick. The penalty came after goalkeeper Mphile Mavuso fouled Amawele’s Vuyo Dlamini inside the goal area minutes before the hour mark.

After this goal, Amawele made a few attempts to add more goals but were eventually put under siege. However, they managed to keep the score margin until the final whistle.
Meanwhile, in the curtain-raiser game, Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows played to a 2-all draw. Both teams finished the game with 10 men after one player from each side was given marching orders by referee Nothando Mkumane. Swallows also missed a spot-kick on the day, which could have seen them collect crucial points for their survival as they currently entangled in a relegation battle.

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