Soaring Swallows Stun Ostriches
Koketso Kgoboge | Monday February 13, 2017 15:54
The two teams produced an absorbing and breathless opening 10 minutes, without a blood of respect for each other. They both kneaded their attack well but the last punch was elusive. The visitors created the first chance in the second minute with Tony Tsabedze’s low cross picking Njabulo Ndlovu inside the box but his first touch took the ball out.
Ostriches responded with Ronald Chikomo releasing Patrick Lenyeletse on the edge of the box but the striker’s powerful drive was fisted away. Madinda Ndlovu’s men produced constant attacks on the wings, while Swallows absorbed the pressure well.After the interval, the two teams only came to life in the 55th minute. The home side failed to capitalise from a rare blip by the visitors. Omaatla Kebatho’s flick fell for an unmarked Lemogang Maswena, who chose to cross but the effort was disappointingly high.
After 60th minute, the visitors took firm control. Kabamba Thsishimbi’s long range driver went wide while in the 71st minute Ndlovu missed a sitter.
Nhleko Wonder posted an expert cross to Ndlovu who, instead of redirecting a free header into the net, chose to head it down and the ball bounced off the turf and went over.
That lifted the spirits of the Swallows supporters, who broke into song and dance as they smelt blood. Barely five minutes later, Swallows struck.
Kaelo Joseph misjudged the flight of Wonder’s miscued effort which went beyond him into the far corner via the post.
After the goal, the visitors created chance after chance but did not capitalise. A deflection from their skipper’s shot hit the upright in the 85th minute.
“We showed a lot of respect to Orapa. They are a good side with good attacking wings, but we found them tiring. We took them on in the second half. We are happy (with the win) but there is still a lot of work to do,” Swallows coach, Thabo Vilakati said.
Madinda Ndlovu said he was happy the players got the practical part of what he has been singing at training ahead of the return leg. “It’s going to be a different ball game. They (players) know what to expect now, we will go there and give them a run for their money.”
Meanwhile, in Madagascar, Township Rollers fell 2-1 to hosts, CNAPS in a CAF Champions League preliminary round tie, with Segolame Boy, grabbing what could be a vital away goal.
The line-ups:
United: Kaelo Joseph, Thabang Mosige, Olekantse Mambo, Kealeboga Molebatsi, Lesenya Ramoraka, Kemmy Pilato, Tendai Nyumasi, Ronald Chikomo, Lemogang Maswena (Zebron Njobvu), Patrick Lenyeletse, Omaatla Kebatho
Swallows: Ginindza Sandile, Mabila Sifiso, Mkhweli Sanele, Palma Mandla, Mathenjwa Siphamandla, Kabamba Thsishimbi, Nhleko Wonder, Sikhodze Banele, Hlatjwako Sandile, Ndlovu Njabulo, Tony Tsabedze
Caution: Molebatsi
United 0
Swallows (0) 1 (Wonder 74th)