A Moroka Swallows team with a new, improved plumage provided fair warning to the more fancied teams remaining in the competition when they swooped into the SAA Supa8 semifinals at Germiston’s Herman Immelman Stadium on Sunday afternoon with a workmanlike 2-1 win over Silver Stars.
It was a more comprehensive victory than the final scoreline suggests, with Stars only reducing a two-goal deficit in the 84th minute through Willem Jackson after former Kaizer Chiefs defender Bevan Fransman had marred an otherwise flawless debut for the Birds by conceding an indirect free kick in the penalty area.
On a balmy, spring afternoon, Swallows joined Mamelodi Sundowns, Chiefs and Supersport United in an intriguing semifinal draw and handled their opponents and a bone-hard pitch with a good deal of professionalism and aplomb.
The Birds went ahead in the 17th minute through 2m-tall Mame Niang following a textbook movement in which Fransman precisely headed Cecil Oerson’s free kick into the path of the on-rushing Senegalese striker.
And the tricky Oerson, who had missed a golden opportunity of increasing the lead midway through the first half, made no mistake in the 63rd minute with a stunning, left-footed shot into the roof of the net.
”It’s the first time in my career as a coach,” said Swallows’ Gavin Hunt afterwards, ”that I’ve had the luxury of sending a pretty formidable and effective team on to the pitch and still had high-quality players up my sleeve as possible replacements.”
Apart from Fransman, long-serving former Chiefs captain Patrick Mabedi, in his 13th season of professional soccer, as well as Lovers Mohala, recalling his halcyon years with Sundowns, also made quality debuts for the Birds.
And Nigerian international goalkeeper Greg Etafia, whose form last season was marred by a degree of inconsistency, was back in his best form.
Lefa Tsutsulupa and Mark Haskins looked quality midfielders and further highlighted a fine, all-round team effort.
Stars, for their part, appeared a degree disjointed in contrast and only came into the reckoning in the tense final few minutes after scoring their solitary goal — and for the first time looked as they might salvage the game. — Sapa