By Lwazi Dlamini
(At Mavuso Sports Centre)
Just like it happened on that fateful day, 14 January 2018, Mbabane Swallows beat their nemesis Manzini Wanderers 2-0 again this afternoon in a lukewarm MTN league clash played on the late Swallows Chairman, Victor ‘Maradona’ Gamedze’s commemoration Day.
As if predestined, the scorer of the winner in the last Ingwenyama Cup last 16 match Gamedze watched his beloved Swallows, Felix Badenhorst scored the second goal in the 79th minute with a trademark glancing header as he did five years ago.
A moment of silence was observed before kickoff with Swallows ball boys entering the pitch holding a banner honouring the late Swallows and Premier League of Eswatini (PLE) Chairman who was killed in cold blood when self-confessed murderer Ncaza pumped two bullets to his head at a Galp Filling Station in Ezulwini at 6:53pm on that fateful day five years ago.
Manzini Wanderers, who suffered their eighth defeat of a nightmarish season, created a plethora of chances but found Swallows goalkeeper Sandile ‘Nkomishi’ Ginindza in his element.
Swallows opened the scoring sheet in the sixth minute when Ugandan international Mutanda Bashir’s low shot beat Wanderers’ goalkeeper hands down. Then 11 minutes before full-time, Badenhorst rose unchallenged to nod his ninth goal of the campaign and sent the motley group of Swallows fans into delirium.
In an earlier match, Moneni Pirates beat Madlenya FC 1-0 courtesy of a late second-half goal by striker Sthembiso Simelane while log leaders, Young Buffaloes edged closer to the first round E100 000 ‘carrot’
after butchering Manzini Sea Birds 4-1 at King Sobhuza II Memorial stadium:
FULL WEEK 11 RESULTS:
Young Buffaloes 4 Manzini Sea Birds 1
Moneni Pirates 1 Madlenya FC 0
Mbabane Swallows 2 Manzini Wanderers 0
Denver Sundowns 1 Royal Leopard 0
Tambankulu Callies 1 Tambuti FC 0
Green Mamba 3 Mbabane Highlanders 0
