Truter returns to haunt Swallows
COACH Brandon Truter added more misery to his relegation-threatened former employers Swallows FC as he guided AmaZulu to a 1-0 win over the Dube Birds in a Premiership match at Dobsonville Stadium yesterday.
Meanwhile, SuperSport United and Stellenbosch FC played out to a 0-0 draw in their league match at Lucas “Masterpieces” Moripe Stadium.
AmaZulu's win over Swallows ensured that they remained seventh on the league standings with 39 points, three ahead of the eighth-placed SuperSport.
Swallows' struggles continued as they are 15th and five points ahead of basement dwellers Baroka FC, who have a game in hand.
The two teams may have played for their respective causes, but this was a game of significance as well.
Truter, the man who guided Swallows back to the top flight last season after spending years in the lower divisions, was back in Dobsonville for the first time.
To his delight Truter sealed a win upon his return to the Soweto club, while ensuring that his former side remained entrenched in a relegation battle.
With the victory, Truter also continued with his 100% undefeated record at the club, since replacing Benni McCarthy, having won three games and drawn one in four outings.
Truter's successor and counterpart Dylan Kerr must have been more confident going into the match, though, given that his team came from two goals down to beat Baroka 3-2 on Sunday.
Swallows started the match on a high note. Monnapule Saleng, on loan from Orlando Pirates, poised the most danger on the left flank as he took on players, while he whipped in dangerous crosses as well.
Most of those deliveries were not converted though, with the bulky Joseph Musonda failing to bulldoze his way in between AmaZulu's defence who repelled the danger away, alongside goalkeeper Veli Mothwa.
Despite Swallows attacking through Saleng, credit must go to Grant Margeman for a clinical first half in midfield. He broke up AmaZulu's attack, while he was influential in Swallow's build-up play.
Usuthu had a chance to find a goal of their own after a scramble inside the box, but keeper Jody February did well to save Luvuyo Memela's pin-point shot before his defence regrouped.
Swallows will feel hard down by that they couldn't convert their possession into goals in the first half. Towards halftime, dangerman Saleng also had a low and hard shot parried away for a corner-kick by Mothwa.
Swallows continued with their wasteful act early in the second half, with substitute Ruzaigh Gamildien the main culprit.
The veteran striker put his initial shot wide, but he rattled the side-netting at his second attempt.
Swallows were duly punished for their wastefulness in front of goal as Andre de Jongh came off the bench to make an immediate impact.
Against the run of play, the New Zealander cut in from the right to set up Sphesihle Maduna who drilled the ball home with a lovely curler.
The 100 supporters that were there continued to cheer Swallows on as they went in search for an equaliser, but Truter and his men hung on as the Capetonian came back to haunt his former team.