Africa-Press – Eswatini. The titanic clash between traditional rivals Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders ended in 1-1 all draw in a free-flowing match played at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday.
The Manzini City welcomed the country’s most successful clubs in what is the biggest match in the land.
Defender Thami Zulu and Mandla Palma (own goal) scored a goal apiece in the entertaining match.
Battle lines were drawn days before the encounter as Mbabane Highlanders boss Chief Ally Kgomongwe had promised to put the ‘Beautiful Birds’ to the sword. On the other hand, Swallows made it clear that losing the match was out of question.
Both sides were quick to get out of the blocks and came close to scoring. However, it was the visiting side that broke the deadlock in the 14th minute through lanky defender Thami Zulu. The defender rose highest with a glancing header following a Philani Mkhonto corner kick.
In his usual formal attire, Kgomongwe went to the stands to celebrate the goal with the jovial supporters.
Swallows regained their footing after conceding and responded to the threats but the defence marshalled by Zulu took no prisoners at the back.
A Leon Manyisa free kick from the edge of the box was blocked by the defenders. Goalkeeper Khanyakwezwe Shabalala also parried Ayanda Gadlela’ s effort for a fruitless corner. The match went to the break with the ‘Black Bull’ leading 1-0. In the second stanza, the host made a double substitution bringing in Sandile Hlatshwako and Siyabonga Zwane.
Swallows came back the better side as they pushed numbers forward in search for an equaliser. Siyabonga Zwane’s shot hit the post with Khanyakwezwe at sea.
Swallows’ pressure on Highlanders paid off in the 55th minute.
Siyabonga was back a minute later when his shot took a deflection on Highlanders defender Mandla Palma before kissing the back of the net.
As the teams continued to go for each other, Philani hit the woodwork after galloping from the right flank.
Both teams were evenly matched throughout the game and had several scoring chances, which could have seen a winner. Swallows exerted more pressure in the dying minutes but they could not find the target with the match ending in a 1-1 draw.
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