Mbabane Swallows (0) 0
Ubombo Sugar (0) 2
Itumeleng 53’, Gcina 90+1’
SOCCER – It is amazing how two consecutive wins can turn things around in this MTN Premier League season.
Ubombo Sugar eased their relegation woes with a crucial 2–0 win over Mbabane Swallows yesterday afternoon at a blazing hot Mavuso Sports Centre.
The visitors were efficient in their approach, defending resolutely, absorbing pressure and utilising their chances on the counter.
The victory lifted Ubombo Sugar to 15 points, leapfrogging Amawele and Sisonkhe on the log standings. Sisonkhe were hammered 4–0 by Royal Leopards, while Amawele suffered a crippling 2–0 defeat to Mbabane Highlanders the previous day.
For Swallows, the match served as a reality check. The red-and-white giants had started on a high note, beating defending champions Nsingizini Hotspurs and rivals Highlanders by solitary goals.
Yesterday, Swallows dominated Ubombo Sugar in almost every aspect of the game, but the visitors did what mattered most — finding the back of the net.
Both teams came into the match on the back of resounding victories. Swallows had thrashed Nsingizini away courtesy of a lone Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala strike, while Ubombo Sugar brushed aside Malanti Chiefs 2–0 at their Mayaluka Stadium backyard.
While Swallows enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the opening 15 minutes, it was Ubombo Sugar who threatened Sandanezwe Mathabela twice from dead-ball situations, which the Swallows goalkeeper handled with aplomb.
The game went into the breather goalless, with both sides — especially Swallows — having nothing to show for their dominance.
A minute after the restart, Swallows’ new signing from Amawele, Thandolwethu ‘Mshina’ Sihlongonyane, nearly broke the deadlock with a cheeky chip from outside the box that rattled the crossbar, with goalkeeper Innocent Obadai Adja gratefully collecting the rebound.
However, it was Ubombo Sugar who struck first in the 53rd minute through a sharp turn-and-shot by Itumeleng Mokeneni.
Mathabela could not be blamed, as his defence switched off at a crucial moment, failing to clear their lines.
Swallows had two quick chances to restore parity. In the 56th minute, Wandile ‘Shaka’ Simelane slid in an overlapping Newman Philiso, but the right-back fired straight at the goalkeeper.
On the hour mark, once again ‘Shaka’ was the provider, pulling the ball back around the penalty spot, but an unmarked Shabalala blasted wildly over the bar with a goal beckoning.
Wave after wave of Swallows attacks followed, but Innocent Adja at the Ubombo Sugar posts proved the difference.
Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula’s powerful 90th-minute free kick was parried to safety by Adja, and from the resultant counter-attack, Ubombo Sugar added a decisive second goal to end the contest.
Gcina Matsebula capitalised on a Swallows defensive lapse, beating Mathabela with a half-volley.
Ubombo Sugar walked away with maximum points, while for Swallows, it was a moment for reflection.
