Moroka Swallows edged out Sundowns 2-1 in a hard-fought Castle Premiership clash played at the Odi stadium in Pretoria on Sunday.
Swallows led 1-0 at half-time.
The first 45 minutes were evenly contested as both teams went for the kill. Swallows started off and finished the stronger with Downs getting in some good work in between.
The Birds had two early chances when an Albert Kometsi free kick was scrambled away in the second minute and four minutes later Swallows wing-back Peter Petersen was close with a powerful shot that flew past the upright.
Sundowns striker Daniel Mudau missed a great chance to score in the eighth minute. The veteran former Bafana Bafana star hit Rotson Kilambe’s cross over the crossbar when he had the Birds goal at his mercy.
Both sides created plenty of goal-mouth action in an entertaining opening spell. Down Clement Mazibuko was wide of the woodwork with a good effort in the 30th minute.
But Swallows’ hard work paid off on the stroke of half-time when Dennis Lota thudded home Peter Petersen’s long throw-in, giving goalkeeper Andre Arendse no chance from close range to make it 1-0.
Swallows continued to pressurise their hosts and were rewarded when defender Warren Lewis made it 2-0 when he was on hand to score from an Albert Kometsi corner in the 52nd minute.
Sundowns had the opportunity to reduce the deficit three minutes later but Rotson Kilambe wasted an easy chance when he shot straight at ‘keeper Greg Etafia when he had the goal at his mercy.
However, the Downs fans had something to cheer about when Shakes Ngwenya reduced the deficit when he rounded off a good move initiated by substitute Simba Marumo to make it 2-1 in the 62nd minute and set up a grand-stand finish.
Kilambe hit the Birds’ side netting in the 68th minute as Downs threw caution to the wind in search of the equaliser. However, the Birds showed their commitment and strong defence by weathering the storm and taking all three points. — Sapa