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‘BIRDS’ PERFECT MOMENT

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LOBAMBA – In what was their fifth meeting in this calendar year, Mbabane Swallows deservedly won the first leg of the Castle Premier Challenge semi-final over a star-studded Royal Leopard, thrashing them 3-1.


Captain Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze showed great class and technique when opening the floodgates with a stunning first half strike that deflected off the back of midfielder Siboniso ‘Rocco’ Malambe that set the tone for the vengeful Swallows side.


The left-footed winger unleashed a stinger from the left edge of the box that the goalkeeper Ncamiso ‘Mbhonyo’ Dlamini could do nothing to stop after it took a slight but crucial deflection on its way to goal.

It was a goal that forced a rare smile on the face of team boss Victor Gamedze who was seated at his usual spot at the VIP box. The defending champions were a team itching to gain timely revenge over the police side who humiliated them 1-4 three weeks ago in the MTN Premier League grand opener.

The tenacity in all departments was there for all to see and Felix Badenhorst, who once again looks set to take home both the Top Goal Scorer and Player of the Tournament awards, was menacing as a second striker behind the lanky Sandile Hlatshwako. The former Jomo Cosmos player was rightly honoured with the Man of the Match award for the second consecutive game after scoring the insurance third goal in the second half to somehow kill off the tie.


Also, it was a goal that the Swallows fanatics will envy for a while especially coming against Leopard.
Swallows deserved the lead as Leopard struggled to play any purposeful football in the first half and never even tested goalkeeper Jim Knowledge until the break. On the contrary, Swallows were always dangerous going forward and their crosses kept the Leopard goalkeeper as busy as a bee as they came in thick and fast.


Then, three minutes into the second half, the tally was increased as Swallows were awarded a penalty after Badenhorst was fouled by goalkeeper Mbhonyo Dlamini inside the box. Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko stepped up to slot it home. Then came midfielder Badenhorst with a rasping close range shot that hit the back of the net, giving the goalkeeper no chance at all in the 55th.


Leopard did try to fight back but despite getting eight minutes stoppage time, they could only pull one back from a controversial penalty three minutes from time, a goal that could come in handy in the second leg this weekend. Talent Maposa appeared to have cleanly won a tackle, but Sibandze adjudged him to have fouled striker Sicelo Mavimbela. Zweli ‘Mlilo’ Nxumalo deftly swept the spotkick into the net to give the scoreline some credibility going to next Sunday’s second leg. However, his team would still have to score three goals and ensure that they do not concede if they want to reach the final.


Meanwhile, referee Thulani Sibandze also appeared to be losing grasp of the game and gave away 10 yellow cards to Swallows, including striker Mfanafuthi ‘Taribo’ Bhembe for using a cellphone on the technical bench as tempers flared towards the end of the match due to some of his decisions, something that continued even after the match as officials and players from both sides clashed just outside the tunnels. On another note, more or less 3 000 people watched the Castle Premier Challenge first leg semi-finals with the second leg to decide the finalists to play the final on October 11.

Teams:
Swallows – Jim, Colani, Sanele, Sifiso, Talent, Mandla, Wonder, Alois, Sandile, Felix, Tony (Sabelo).
Leopard – Ncamiso, Sizwe, Skhumbuzo, Sifiso, Jerome, Siboniso, Mthunzi (Muzi), Mxolisi (Sicelo), Barry, Zweli, Sabelo (Juries).
MAN OF THE MATCH: Felix Badenhorst was a menace to the opposition throughout the afternoon, winning the penalty for the second goal, before rising high to nod home the insurance third goal from a well weighted cross from Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko.

Previous semi-final meetings
between the sides:
Swallows 4, Leopard 3
(2006 SwaziBank Cup semi-final)
Swallows 2, Leopard 1
(2013 SwaziBank Cup semi-final)
Swallows 3, Leopard 2
(2013 Castle Premier Challenge semi-final)
Leopard 2, Swallows 0
(2014 SwaziBank Cup semi-final)

Comments (2 posted):

Mfanukhona PO Khumalo on 22/09/2014 13:27:33
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Guys it is not the end of road. Leopard can do better, God bless Leopard family.
cic on 22/09/2014 15:50:25
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Siyabonga Ma-Swallows! Keep it up!

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