MASSOYE NETS BRACE AS ROVERS THUMP BL. SWALLOWS

MANZINI – Almost forgotten two-time Premier League Top Goal Scorer, Etienne Massoye, helped promotion hopefuls, Mhlambanyatsi Rovers, beat Black Swallows 3-1.

A brace by the former Mbabane Swallows forward and a strike by gifted midfielder Dan Shabangu in the first half were enough to keep the blue and white outfit’s promotion hopes alive in the MTN National First Division clash played at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday.

Massoye who oozed confidence and passed with accuracy punished the visitors as early as the 10th minute with an easy tap in from close range. He doubled his tally from a goalmouth scramble five minutes later as the Black Swallows defence looked to be at sixes and sevens. Rovers were completely running the show as the opposition chased shadows and it was no surprise when Dan Shabangu fired home from outside the box three minutes from the half hour mark to give his team an unassailable lead. Black Swallows goalkeeper Friday Lukhele could only bury his head in his hands in shame as he let in what looked like a weak shot.

Rovers led 3-0 at the sound of referee, Ernest Dlamini’s first half whistle.
The Pigg’s Peak based outfit tried to regroup after the restart and eventually pulled one back in the 49th minute through youngster Colani Shiba whose shot hit the woodwork before going in. The opposition defence was caught napping. Rovers were not to be outdone as they created a few scoring chances after the hour mark. However, Black Swallows’ game had notably improved towards the end of the game but it was a case of too little too late as they could not cancel Rovers’ two goal advantage.

The win helped Rovers maintain second place on the standings with 30 points in 17 games. They are two points ahead of Red Lions who beat All Nations by 1-0 in another game played at Nhlangano Vocational Centre yesterday. However, the latter still have two games in hand.

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