TTM deny Birds league win with last-gasp penalty
Swallows full value for lead
Alfred Ndengane rescued a point for Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila with a stoppage-time penalty to force a 1-1 draw against Swallows in an entertaining DStv Premiership encounter played at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto yesterday.
Swallows looked to be on their way to clinching the three points when Zaphaniah Mbokoma gave them a firsthalf lead.
But the visitors’ never-saydie attitude saw them force a share of the spoils with Ndenfrom gane’s penalty in added time.
The draw must have felt like a loss to Swallows as they were in control of the game for long periods.
TTM stretched their unbeaten run in all competitions to five matches, while Swallows extended their record of draws in the league to 10.
Substitute Phetso Maphanga brought down Ndengane inside the penalty area, leaving referee Philagenkosi Khumalo with no choice but to point to the spot.
Swallows have not won in their past seven league games, drawing six matches and losing once in the process.
The Soweto-based outfit dropped to fifth place with 31 points from 18 matches. TTM are in 14th place with 16 points
17 matches.
Two weeks ago TTM defeated the Birds on penalties in the Nedbank Cup second round in Polokwane and denied them a league double in Soweto. But they have no-one to blame for not winning this game.
Swallows keeper Virgil Vries pulled off two brilliant saves to deny birthday boy Rhulani Manzini the opportunity to open the scoring.
Mbokoma opened the scoring for Swallows on the halfhour mark. Keeper Washington Arubi parried Kgaogelo Sekgotha’s shot into his path and Mbokoma rolled the ball into an empty net.
Swallows were full value for their lead going into the halftime break. But, TTM fought back for a deserved draw.