Moroka Swallows did the unthinkable when they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 convincingly in a heated Premier Soccer League (PSL) encounter at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Wednesday night.
The score line somewhat flattered Sundowns, who were chasing shadows in the first half as Swallows controlled proceedings through midfielder Tsweu Mokoro.
Swallows were rewarded in the 25th minute when Edzai Kasinauyo flew unhindered down the right flank and beat an advancing Brian Baloyi from an acute angle to put the Birds in the lead.
The visitors deserved more goals in the first half for their tireless efforts and the leaky Sundowns defence that missed the injured Michael Manzini and the non-starting Benson Mhlongo.
The clincher came in early in the second half when the live-wire Mokoro latched on to a header and drilled a low volley into an open Sundowns net.
Sundowns somehow rose from the dead with the introduction of Manqoba Ngwenya, who won a penalty for the home side that was comfortably tucked away by Surprise Moriri an hour into the game.
Sundowns looked threatening afterwards but their fighting spirit was easily quashed by a Swallows outfit that came to Pretoria for the three points that they deservedly got.
Swallows’ win over the much-fancied Sundowns lifted them to sixth on the log, while Sundowns remain in second position, giving log-topping Orlando Pirates breathing space and an opportunity to dash for the title.
Chiefs’ goal famine continues
No self-respecting bookmaker would have accepted bets on a goalless draw materialising in the PSL game between Kaizer Chiefs and Santos at Rustenburg’s Olympia Park on Wednesday night in view of both teams’ horrific recent goal famine.
Ironically, however, it was the Santos players and coach Roger de Sa who came away smiling after finishing a PSL game for the sixth successive occasion on a 0-0 score line — a feat that might conceivably earn them a place in the Guinness World Records book.
”Drawing away from home against Chiefs is never a bad result,” said a satisfied De Sa, ”and the goals will come — indeed they could have materialised in Rustenburg but for some superb saves from Emile Baron.”
In spite of the faultless play of the Chiefs goalkeeper, however, it was Wayne Roberts in the Santos goal who stole the show in front of a near-capacity crowd — highlighting an awesome performance with three breathtaking saves within the space of seven minutes in the closing stages that prevented seemingly certain goals.
Chiefs have now drawn six of their nine PSL matches and the defending champions trail log leaders Orlando Pirates by six points, while Santos have drawn for the eight time in 10 matches.
And with those kind of statistics, it was hardly surprising the game finished with the teams on equal terms — and goalless at that.
The heroics of the two goalkeepers apart, Chiefs were also thwarted by a breathtaking tackle from Santos defender Edries Burton, who dispossessed John ”Shoes” Moshoeu in the 65th minute with Amakhosi’s evergreen midfielder poised to boot the ball into the net from close range.
And with scoring chances continuing to be squandered in abundance, resigned Chiefs followers started trooping towards the exit long before the final whistle.
Ajax thrash Supersport
Ajax Cape Town kept up with the front-runners when they thrashed Supersport United 4 -1 in a Premier Soccer League (PSL) match played at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town on Wednesday night. Ajax led 3-1 at half-time.
The visitors opened the score in the 12th minute when Gaxa Siboniso laid off to Abram Raselemane, who made good ground down the right and centred for Katlego Mphela to drive the ball home.
Two minutes later, the home side were on level terms after Mfundo Shumana’s pinpoint cross found George Mofokeng’s head.
Ajax took the lead in the 20th minute through Franklin Cale, whose 10m strike flew into the top corner, leaving Supersport goalkeeper Calvin Marlin as a mere spectator. The best goal of the first half came in the 35th minute when Terror Fanteni did well to prevent the ball crossing the line for a goal kick, centred and found Wilfred Mugeyi, who volleyed from 20m out.
Ajax completed the rout in the 69th minute when Fanteni headed in from a corner kick.
In the referee’s optional time, Supersport’s Phil Evans was shown the red card.
Leopards, Bucks share points
Black Leopards and Bush Bucks played to a 1 -1 draw in a PSL match at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Wednesday night.
Leopards led 1-0 at half-time.
Leopards opened the scoring in the 30th minute through captain Mulondo Sikhwivhilu. However, Bucks came back the more determined side in the second half and were rewarded in the 85th minute when former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Simpiwe Mbambo found the back of the net. — Sapa