Africa-Press – Eswatini. Former Vovovo FC troublesome winger Siyabonga Zwane was on fire for Mbabane Swallows last night.
This was in an exciting but intense MTN Premier League match, with Swallows looking to avenge their MoMo Cup 2023 final defeat to the ambitious Shiselweni minnows. The latter have already sealed two consecutive MoMo Cup titles in only two elite seasons. A lone Ayanda Gadlela strike proved to be the difference for the home side during the fixture played before a roaring crowd at Mavuso Sports Centre. It was not just about revenge, but also the log standings, which needed to be improved for both, particularly Swallows, who had only four points out of a possible nine before this hard-fought win. Zwane was the bitter pill for Nsingizini, who were also impressive when in possession. He was in the thick of things, fetching the ball from the back, carrying it forward in blazing speed.
suffered
Meanwhile, Swallows should have scored three within the half-hour mark, as Nsingizini suffered an injury blow with troublesome striker Neliso ‘Shaka’ Myeni. He was replaced by Frimpong in the first half. Swallows, meanwhile, were twice denied by the woodwork. First, Sandile Hlatjwako, after a side footed and perfectly weighted cross onto his path inside the box, saw the ball come off the upright back into play. Seasoned midfielder-cum-forward Felix Badenhorst, who had a brilliant game with his vast experience showing, hit the upright as well when scoring looked easy after a poor clearance. There was not much of a threat after the half hour. However, there was a time when goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela spilt a harmless cross, and it ended up a corner kick, as the visiting team piled pressure on him six minutes from the hour mark.
The Swallows defence did well to thwart Nsingizini’s advances at goal with Thubelihle Mavuso, Vardy Tfwala, and Suarez a menace. Swallows introduced three players midway through, being Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala for Sandile Hlatjwako, Nhlanhla Ngwenya for Ayanda Gadlela and also rested the man of the match Zwane. He was behind their goal and the Hlatjwako effort that came off the upright.
Bottom
The narrow win takes Swallows to seven points in five matches and also moved them from third bottom to eighth. Nsingizini remain rooted to ninth, ahead of the weekend fixture against tricky Illovo, while Swallows face Manzini Sea Birds before their last pending match against unbeaten leaders, Madlenya.
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