Africa-Press – Eswatini. IT was far from pretty, but Mbabane Swallows still put in a confident display as they eased past Lozitha Spurs in the Ingwenyama Cup.
This was during a match played at Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday.
Despite having some challenges earlier in the week leading up to the game, which saw some players boycotting training, the capital city side was in control of proceedings.
The ‘Beautiful Birds’ started the match on the front foot, which when saw them get a few half chances in the opening minutes.
Swallows’ first real threat came in the 15th minute when Felix Badenhorst saw his headed effort clip the cross bar after he rose highest.
Lozitha Spurs’ Gift Kwaramba purposely handled the ball just outside the box with Swallows benefitting from the free-kick.
‘Fela’ stepped up to take the free kick in the 23rd minute to put his team ahead.
Swallows gained confidence after the goal, which saw them dominate possession and get more chances.
This led to Ayanda Gadlela hitting the side post in the 34th minute after some neat inter- passing with Sandile Hlatjwako.
Lozitha would now and again try counter attacks, but they never really got a clear chance.
The match went to the break with Swallows leading 1-0.
substitution
Lozitha made a substitution at the start of the second half and that helped to add firepower upfront as they searched for an equaliser.
Swallows then brought on Neliswa ‘Tiger’ Dlamini, Siyabonga Zwane and Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ shabalala.
The substitutions proved a master stroke as Siyabonga made an assist just five minutes later.
He sent in a zipping low cross from the right wing which found Siphosethu Mabilisa, who wrapped his boot around it to fire into the top corner. Lozitha goalkeeper Bhekisisa Sikhondze was replaced by Lusanda Mkhatshwa after colliding with ‘Fela’.
The match began to open up more in the closing minutes, but Swallows did not take their foot off the pedal as they went in search of a third goal.
Kwakhe Thwala came close when his 25 yard effort hit the top post in the 83rd minute.
Khayalethu will be kicking himself after he missed a golden chance in the 88th minute with just a tap-in required and he completely lost his footing and missed the ball. This is after ‘Nunu’ had done all the hard work to set him up with a cut back pass.
Siyabonga put the icing on the cake for Swallows as he scored their third of the day in the fourth minute of added time.
He broke through the lines in a quick counter and kept his composure to slot past the ‘keeper in a one-on-one. The match ended 3-0 with Swallows advancing to the next round.
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