Captain marvellous Tony, you beauty!
Gr. Mamba........( 1) 2
Khethokuhle 6th, Xavi 81st M. Swallows........( 1) 3
Tony 24th, 85th, ‘ D4D’ 77th
KALANGA vellous! – Captain mar
Mbabane Swallows Captain, Tony ‘ TT’ Tsabedze, was once again t he hero for his side yesterday as his brace in the 3- 2 win against Green Mamba kept his t eam i n t he MTN Premier League race. It was a closely- contested and fastflowing match that had started slowly before turning into a fierce match within no time. No wonder Green Mamba broke the deadlock against the run of play six minutes into it.
National team Sihlangu Semnikati midfielder Khethokuhle Mkhontfo benefitted from a rebound to make it 10 in favour of his team. Swallows piled pressure on G. Mamba and they eventually succumbed in the 24th minute.
They committed a foul near their danger area and as often times, Tsabedze stepped up to take it. He curled in a rocket that goalkeeper Sidumo Vilakati could do nothing but watch as it kissed the back of the net. It was nearly level a few minutes later but speedy Green Mamba winger Sifiso ‘ Mkhalele’ Mdluli thought he had got the golden chance when he received the ball in Swallows’ half and took the defenders on, leaving them for dead but just before he took his chance against goalkeeper Sandile ‘ Nkomishi’ Ginindza, he was controversially ruled offside by the referee Mbongeni Shongwe, much to the chagrin of their technical bench and officials.
Both teams kept pressing but it was Swallows that looked more dangerous until the break. In the second half, Swallows who are still having slim hopes of swooping leaders Royal Leopard to the crown added a second in the 77th, this time gifted midfielder Njabulo ‘ D4D’ Ndlovu was the scorer amid protests from Green Mamba who believed the ball was cleared off the line. Swallows had made two changes as they brought on Sizolwethu ‘ Nunu’ Shabalala and James Nguluve for Enzo Motsa and Sandile Hlatshwako to boost their attack. Ndlovu nodded home their second goal after a corner kick by Tsabedze.
The Swallows captain almost made it 3- 1 but was denied by the woodwork from yet another set piece thereafter.
Danger
Sensing danger, Green Mamba coach Caleb Ngwenya made a double substitution, taking out Mkhalele for Banele Mdluli and Njabulo Tfwala for Sanele Tshawuka. Swallows coach Christopher Ennin rested Banele ‘ Pupu’ Sikhondze for Leon Manyisa. The changes added some fire in the game as Green Mamba chased an equaliser while Swallows looked for more as well.
Former AS Vita star Mthunzi ‘ Xavi’ Mkhontfo got the second goal for his team nine minutes from time before Tsabedze broke their hearts with his second goal in the match who netted from another set piece from just outside the box before seeing another last gasp effort come off the upright in stoppage time.
Tsabedze netted a hat- trick in Swallows’ 4- 0 rout of Milling Hot Spurs in the previous match. Swallows are four points behind second- placed Young Buffaloes with a game in hand while they trail Royal Leopard by 10 points.