RECORD CROWD WATCHES ‘BIRDS’, ‘WESLIANS’ BLITZ

LOBAMBA – The tension was so thick, small wonder both rivals were content with a share of the spoils in this four-goal blitz that attracted a record crowd since the launch of the Under-20 League.

About 1 000 soccer lovers turned up to watch Manzini Wanderers’ Under-20 side take on their Mbabane Swallows counterparts at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday afternoon.

The fans did not regret watching the youngsters tear into each other in almost brutal fashion before settling for the 2-2 draw. No team wanted to taste defeat and even though Wanderers will feel they were closest to taking home the maximum points, as Swallows snatched the equaliser towards the death, Zenzile Mpofu’s ‘babes’ were not at their best yesterday in all honesty, squandering some great chances.

Swallows had been quickest off the blocks and scored through Xolani ‘Tyson’ Magagula, registered with the senior team from the spot kick. Menzi Thusi evened matters for Wanderers with what was, no doubt, the goal of the day. From about 20 yards, the youngster unleashed a ground scorcher that was too fast for the Swallows goalie, Mpendulo Zwane. Lungelo Mawelela then netted Wanderers second to ensure they took a 2-1 lead to the break.

It was, however, after the introduction of left-footed Malungelo Dlamini at the start of the second half, that the Mbabane side started finding holes behind the Wanderers defence, as the hub giants opted for the counter-attack. Swallows, however, had to wait until the last minutes of the clash before finding the equaliser through Mkhululi Kunene.

It was not the only game at the venue. Earlier on, a merciless army side, Young Buffaloes went berserk before gorging Umbelebele 4-1. Green Mamba had to dig deeper into their reserves of courage to outwit a determined RSSC 1-0 in the last game.
It was a great afternoon for the soccer fans at the venue, as the Under-20 teams appear to hit form.

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