Like Cinderella transformed from a princess at the stroke of midnight, Moroka Swallows shed their poise and glitter in the second half of the Premier League against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium on Saturday night –yet ultimately deserved a share of the spoils from a tense, changeable 1-1 draw.
Defending champions Chiefs, in contrast, looked listless and strangely unmotivated in the opening period.
But Amakhosi took advantage of Swallows’ decline in the second period, equalised through a header from Gert Schalkwyk in the 55th minute and for 15 minutes threatened to overrun a team that came onto the field for the second period as though intent only to hold onto their one-goal advantage.
Then, with both sides seemingly having shot their bolt, the stalemate was completed in the final 15 minutes with both teams limping to the finishing line simultaneously like spent marathon runners stumbling towards the finishing post.
For log leaders Chiefs, however, the outcome, as reflected in the sombre mood of the 12 000 crowd, was less than comforting.
Despite extending their log lead to two points ahead of Mamelodi Sundowns, they have now played two extra matches and have presented the Brazilians with the golden opportunity of overtaking them.
Swallows’ domination in the opening period was rewarded with a deserved headed goal from Tobogo Monyai in the 29th minute, but the Birds could have extended their lead in the first 45 minutes on several occasions and virtually secured a victory.
Instead, it was Chiefs who stormed onto all-out attack in the second half as the game underwent a startling transformation.
And while Swallows generally performed as though shell-shocked in the final 45 minutes, a significant reason of their decline was the loss of resolute captain and central defender Goodman Mazibuko, who was rushed to hospital with internal bleeding after an ugly clash in the final minutes of the first half.
A revived Chiefs immediately made their intentions clear at the start of the second half and only a breathtaking tackle from Swallows’ Mohamed Ouseb prevented them scoring. Then three golden opportunities went begging as Nigerian international goalkeeper Greg Etafia battled valiantly to keep Chiefs at bay.
Swallows, however, reserved a final salvo of their own and Chiefs goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez saved brilliantly from Alfred Phiri and substitute Tsweu Mokoro to keep the teams on level terms. – Sapa