Royal perfection
Leopard edge closer to league title after 2- 0 win over 10- man Birds
( At KaLanga Technical Centre)
R. Leopard….( 0) 2
Mlilo 61st, junior 90+ 3
M. Swallows….( 0) 0
SITEKI – It was a royal command for Leopard as two goals earned them maximum points against 10- men Mbabane Swallows.
Leopard beat Swallows to maintain the lead at the top and opened a gap of 13 points from the red and white outfit with only 15 points left to fight for before the league ends. Swallows is technically in for the title or second position. The game was intense and full of drama . The two sides met in the field of play for the first time this season after their first round match was decided on the tables with Leopard awarded maximum points after the ‘Birds’ failed to produce playing cards on April 11, 2021.
Swallows were forced to finish the game one man down after goalkeeper Sandile ‘ Nkomishi’ Ginindza was showed a red for indiscipline by referee Thulani Sibandze a minute after the hour mark.
That was the start of drama as Lungelo Tsabedze was fouled inside the box by Swallows defender, Siphosethu Mabelesa and the referee did not hesitate and pointed to the spot kick.
Swallow s sacrifice dSandil eH latshwako for Sihlangu goal keeper; Sandanezwe who displayed a heroic display in the 2021 COSAFA Cup but could not save Mlilo’s spot kick. Mathabela’s first contribution in the game was conceding the goal from Nxumalo.
Drama
The drama continued with about five minutes remaining as Swallows Coach Christopher Ennin was also showed a red card by t he referee as the tempers flared during the match.
Back to the match, Leopard dominated the game from the beginning, but it was Swallows who created the first chance when they won a corner kick few minutes into the game.
Swallows captain Tony‘ T T’ Tsabedze played a through ball to lanky striker, Sand il eH latjwako, who went for a goal but the linesman waved for an offside.
Royal Leopard on t he other hand upped their tempo, no wonder Thabiso Mokenkoane missed a clear chance from a wonderful pass from Zweli ‘ Mlilo’ Nxumalo but was let down by composure in front of goal.
Press
Leopard continued to press hard on Swallows and Sikhumbuzo Magagula’s rocket shot hit Swallows players for a fruitless corner.
Thabiso tried his luck just outside the box, but Sandile ‘ Nkomishi’ was equal to the task.
The game went for a break, Leopard dominating the game and still no side broke the deadlock.
Seeing that Leopard was dominating the game, Swallows coach, Christopher Ennin made a double substitution bringing in Sifiso Mabila for Enzo Motsa and Leon Manyisa for Banele ‘ Pupu’ Sikhondze.
Mokenkoena once again failed to break the deadlock when he failed to connect a clever pass from ‘ Mlilo’ and ‘ Nkomishi’ rushed to pick the ball.
Scored
Leopard coach Edwin Matsebula rested Zweli Nxumalo after he had scored the opening goal from the spot kick f or Sifiso ‘ Sushi’ Nkambule.
He also rested Thabiso Mokenkoane for Bongani Dlamini and the substitution added some tempo and it came as no surprise when Lungelo Tsabedze was fouled inside the box and Junior Magagula scored from a penalty to make it 2- 0 in favour of Leopard and that was the end of the match.