Swazi Observer

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BIRDS BRUSH ASIDE KILLERS, BOOK LAST 16 SPOT

By MELUSI MLOTSA | 2025-01-20

Ludzeludze Killers….................…....…… (1)1
Mbabane Swallows ……….................….. (1)3
SOCCER - MBABANE Swallows secured a spot in the SMVAF Ingwenyama Cup last 16 with a 3-1 win over National First Division outfit Ludzeludze Killers at Mavuso Sports Centre yesterday.

New signees Mlamuli ‘Mlaba’ Nkambule and Menzi Sithole were named in the starting 11 by coach Nsindiso Gama. The red and white glamour side was dominant from the word go and it took them just 15 minutes to break the deadlock with skipper Kwakhe Thwala heading home a Philiswa Newman set-piece.

The home side did not sit back as they also pushed numbers forward with Boniswa Ndwandwe silencing the capital city giants 11 minutes later with a stunning ricochet set-piece to make it 1-1.

The Nsindiso Gama-led charges did not stop attacking as they continued to press forward in search for another goal. With a few minutes remaining before the break, Mancoba ‘Nciba’ Vilakati could only watch his great effort narrowly missing the target.

The two sides went to the break at 1-1. The second half saw Swallows substituting the rusty Menzi Sithole and Biko Sibandze for Nhlanhla Ngwenya and Phiwo Shabangu, respectively.

The visitors returned well energised in the second stanza but Killers kept the opposition at bay.
A thunderous shot from Bongi ‘Karas’ Magagula from 12 yards out was blocked by the opposition defenders in the 58th minute. In the 63rd minute, ‘Nciba’ put the ‘Beautiful Birds’ ahead, thanks to the forward’s powerful shot that beat Banele Dlamini at the near post.

'Karas' was a menace to the opposition’s defenders as he was lively on the right flank. Striker Sandile Hlatshwako put the final nail on Killers’ coffin in the 86th minute after he was introduced into the match. Swallows are through to the next round.

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