‘Birds’ swallowed!

By Chris Dlamini
M. Swallows………..(0) 1,
Nhlanhla 64th
Sea Birds………………(0) 1,
Muzi 72nd

Another day, another giant falls.

Capital city giants Mbabane Swallows followed other big guns on Monday night when they bowed out of the 8Bet Trade Fair Cup last 16.
Swallows became the fourth giant to lose in the second edition of the knockout under the 8Bet’s E2.5 million package.

Also out are last year’s champions Young Buffaloes, capital city giants Mbabane Highlanders, and hub giants Manzini Wanderers.

Swallows lost to resilient minnows Manzini Sea Birds in the dreaded penalty shootout.

The match ended 1-all in regulation time before Sinethemba Dlamini decided it in sudden-death penalties. He scored to give Sea Birds the win, setting up a date with hub rivals and last season’s runners-up Moneni Pirates on Wednesday in the quarterfinals.

Both teams had dismally failed in the opening shootout, with only the Swallows’ goalkeeper Sandanezwe Mathabela and the Sea Birds midfielder Mlandvo Tsabedze.

The red and white side then missed their first sudden death penalty while Sea Birds made no mistake but decided the match. In the end, Sea Birds won 2-1 after sudden death penalties.