Africa-Press – Eswatini. Malanti………………………….. (0)0
Swallows……………………….. (2)4
Nhlanhla 7th, Nunu 45th, Blandja 50th, Njabulo 84th
Red and white giants Mbabane Swallows have closed the gap between them and joint MTN Premier League leaders Royal Leopard and Mbabane Highlanders to four points and just one point with third placed Young Buffaloes.
This follows the seven-time MTN Premier League champions’ emphatic 4-0 win over relegation haunted Malanti Chiefs at a muddy Killarney Stadium yesterday. In just a matter of three weeks, Swallows have brought themselves back in contention for the ‘Holy Grail’ of local football and are officially the dark horses to the crown.
Here, they opened the floodgates as early as the seventh minute through left winger Nhlanhla Ngwenya, who slid home a low Wonder ‘Samba Jive’ Nhleko cross. Ngwenya was recalled to the starting line-up after Banele ‘Pupu’ Sikhondze was pulled out because of an injury during the warm-up just before kickoff and it proved a blessing in disguise.
Despite numerous chances, it took Swallows up until the last minute of the two added in this half to get the second goal, this time through the speedy Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala, who raced through to goal, skipping the advancing Xolani ‘Xoxo’ Gama at the Malanti sticks to roll the ball into an empty net.
In the 50th minute, Swallows were 3-0 up through a glancing Baba-Seidou ‘Keita’ Blandja header from a Tony Tsabedze free kick near the corner spot.
Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu nailed the final goal with six minutes of regulation time remaining from a Nhlanhla pass following an inch perfect pass from Leon Manyisa.
While Malanti remain in the woods, with Rangers dropping points, they remain with a reed-thin chance of survival with eight games remaining. Returning South African coach Humphrey Mlwane was back helping coach Raymond Dlamini while Swallows are raising their hands to be counted in the title race.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Njabulo Ndlovu – Swallows
‘D4D’ always imposes himself in games and has that extra work ethic which automatically raises the game of everyone around him. That is what he did here as he bossed the midfield, launching attacks and capped a brilliant afternoon with a goal.
TEAMS
Malanti: Xolani Gama, Philani Shabangu, Kwanele Dlamini, Seluleko Mdluli, ‘Kia’ Simelane (Sandile Mnisi), Zipho Ngcobo, Phinda Ginindza, ‘Lion’ Mazibuko, Given Lukhele, ‘Musona’ Dlamini, Mfundo Mkhabela (Muhle Shiba).
Swallows: Sandanezwe Mathabela, Thabo Vilakati (Sifiso Mabila), Siphosethu Mabilisa, Kingsley Kwakyi, ‘Keita’ Blandja, Wonder Nhleko (Sandile Hlatshwako), Tony Tsabedze (Leon Manyisa), ‘Nunu’ Shabalala (Bashir Mutanda), Njabulo Ndlovu, Nhlanhla Ngwenya.
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