Moroka Swallows, like most clubs in the Premier Soccer League (PSL), may not find unearthing goal-scoring forwards an easy proposition.
But on the evidence of Wednesday night’s 1-0 PSL win over Supersport United at Atteridgeville’s Super Stadium, it is no problem at all to discover a dynamic full-back scorer.
Tebogo Monyai, the Birds’ youthful, defensive prodigy from the Mvela League, scored his third goal in three games with a blinding header in the 78th minute and gave the Birds three well-deserved points against opponents with whom they are running neck-and-neck on the log.
Monyai has scored all of Swallows’ goals in the testing past three matches against Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Supersport, and established himself as a player to watch for the future.
In a fast-flowing game in which the Birds generally held the ascendancy, Monyai demonstrated to the forwards from both sides how to target the goal.
Swallows often threatened in the opening 60 minutes through the 2m-tall Mame Niang, but the Senegalese striker could not capitalise on his aerial advantage and miscued many of his headers.
Calvin Marlin thwarted Swallows in the 77th minute with a breathtaking reflex save from elusive substitute Mark Haskins. But Marlin was only able to deflect the ball over the crossbar and it was from Cecil Oerson’s resultant corner that Monyai delivered his knock-out blow.
Supersport appealed in vain for a penalty in the 88th minute, but justice was done when the Birds ran out winners — leapfrogging over their opponents on the log in the process. — Sapa