Swazi Observer

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â€˜D4Dâ€™ CRUSHES SUNDOWNS

By Sibusiso Masilela | 2019-01-21

Mbabane Swallows............... (2)2

Manzini Sundowns ...............(0)0

SOCCER - If Mbabane Swallows new recruit Paitop Dube was wonderful then his teammate Njabulo ‘D4D’ Ndlovu was exhilarating, as the ‘Beautiful Birds’ flew to their fourth consecutive Ingwenyama Cup semi-final after a 2-0 win, knocking out a hard fighting Manzini Sundowns.

The undoubted man of the match ‘D4D’ netted a devastating first half brace in front of an impressive crowd at the Somhlolo National Stadium yesterday while Dube put in a faultless showing, shielding the defence with relative ease against his former employers.

The result also saw the red and white glamour side record a 19 game unbeaten run in the four-year-old competition that blends football with culture. ‘D4D’ gave Swallows the lead just before the half hour mark when he connected a sublime strike provided by skipper Tony ‘TT’ Tsabedze, beating the young Sundowns goalkeeper Lwethu Simelane hands down.

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His second came a minute just before the breather when he combined brilliantly with the back again Sabelo ‘Sikhali’ Ndzinisa, who unselfishly laid the ball on his path and the midfield dynamo simply slotted past the goalkeeper. The two sides created few chances during the opening stages of the opening stanza and Sundowns were first to threaten in front of goal after the first quarter. This was through enterprising winger Linda Maphalala who missed a sitter inside the box after intercepting a Muhle Shiba pass.

Substitution

The ‘Kappa Boys’ goalkeeper pulled a daring save in the 22nd minute as he denied seasoned winger Wonder ‘SambaJive’ Nhleko at close range. The ‘Birds’ were forced to make a forced substitution in the second half, pulling out an injured defender Siboniso Ndzabandzaba for the ever improving Sizolwethu ‘Nunu’ Shabalala. Swallows goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela, who didn’t have a busy day in office, produced a beautiful save in the hour mark by stopping a Linda Maphalala rasping shot and again in the 71st minute when he saved a Sibonginkhosi Dlamini 25 yards free kick. Swallows join army side Young Buffaloes, Malanti Chiefs and Mbabane Highlanders in the last four of the Sincephetelo Motor Vehicle Accidents Fund (SMVAF) sponsored tournament.

The teams

Swallows

Sandanezwe, Sewu, Sakhile, Ndumiso, Ndzabandzaba (Sizolwethu), Paito, Wonder, Xolani (Sandile) , Sabelo , Njabulo , Tony (McCreesh)

Sundowns

Lwethu, Ndumiso, Sandile, Kingu, Mkhuleko , Phumlani (Mzileni) , Regan, Sibonginkhosi Linda, Antwi (Mashaba), Muhle (Sibusiso)

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