Africa-Press – Eswatini. MBABANE Swallows put on a dominant performance to book themselves a spot in the semi-finals of the PLE Trade Fair Cup after they cruised past Ezulwini United, beating them 3-0 at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday.
After a relatively quiet opening 10 minutes of the game, the in-form Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala found the back of the net in the 13th minute to open up the scoring. It seems being dropped from the Sihlangu squad didn’t affect his confidence as he banged in a scorcher from outside the penalty area.
Despite the goal the match remained a pretty open affair with both sides getting even possession of the ball, however, it was the capital city giants with the slight edge.
The match eventually went to the break with Swallows enjoying a slender lead over Ezulwini United by a single goal.
When the second stanza of the match returned it was obvious that Umkhonto kaShaka were the team in ascendancy, scoring four minutes after the restart. Siyabonga Zwane calmly rounded the keeper after receiving a through ball from Badenhorst and made no mistake to slot into the empty net.
Veteran striker Sandile Hlatshwako botched a golden chance in the 5th minute as he tried to pass the ball into the penalty area instead of taking a shot after he managed to beat the keeper and was faced with an empty net.
Hlatshwako would get the chance to redeem himself as Zwane went from scorer to goal provider, sending in a cross to the lanky striker who made no mistake with a glancing header. The ‘Beautiful Birds’ were now three goals to the good with 61 minutes on the clock and looking like they were headed to the semi-finals.
With a three-goal cushion the Caleb Ngwenya-led charges slowed down the pace of the game as they dictated play. Swallows were then given a further advantage in the 87th minute as Ezulwini United’s Henwick Katumba got a red card after a dangerous tackle on Siyabonga Zwane.
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