/ 15 November 1999

Classics humble Swallows

ANDREW MUCHINERIPI, Tembisa | Monday 12.00pm.

Classic

(2) 5 (Zwane 6, Joubert 25, Mthunzi 58, Malatule 62, Mahlangu 88-pen)

Moroka Swallows

(0) 1 (Ningiza 38); At Makhulong Stadium

IT was a scorching hot Sunday afternoon in the East Rand township of Tembisa, and for Swallows goalkeeper George Fernandes there was the added discomfort of having to pick the ball from his net so many times.

Easily the worst moment for the serious young man with the blond-dye

hair came midway through the first half as a seemingly harmless shot from Classic striker Mark Joubert bounced in front of him, then flew into the net.

The fact that it was seen live on television by millions of viewers

will only add the pain of Fernandes, who was not helped by defenders seemingly reluctant to perform the simple task of marking.

Take the first goal. Arthur Zwane could have boiled a kettle and drank some tea inside the penalty area while waiting unmarked for the backheeled pass that he hammered into the roof of the net.

Swallows applied pressure after Joubert added a second for the newly promoted club coached by Khabo Zondo and a quality cross from Johannes Mine set up Patrick Ningiza for a headed goal before half-time.

The match was won and lost within five minutes in the second half when Colin Mthunzi punished an unusually hesitant Kevin Rafferty to score number three and David Malatule powered a left-foot drive past Fernandes.

Substitute Sello ‘Page’ Mahlangu completed the rout with time ticking away when his penalty kick went in off the post after Fernandes committed a foul that should have led to a second yellow card and a red.

“Kaizer Chiefs did us a big favour last weekend by walloping us,”

Classic captain Calvin Motloung said. “It was an eye opener and the lessons we learnt were put into practise today.”