Moroka Swallows are defying all the norms of soccer logic this season by winning their away games and losing at home — and the trend continued at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban on Sunday afternoon with a gritty, purposeful 1-0 victory against Lamontville Golden Arrows.
A classy volleyed goal in the 51st minute from Zimbabwean Evans Gwekwerere moved the Birds into a challenging position in the Premier Soccer League championship race and kept Arrows pegged in a dangerous, second-from-bottom position in the log.
With several key players back in harness, Swallows regained the rhythm and drive that was lacking in their recent home defeat against Jomo Cosmos.
”It’s a little perplexing,” said coach Gavin Hunt, ”but now we have to start winning home games and we’ll be right there among the teams challenging for the championship.”
And while Swallows supporters may have had misgivings with Aubrey Mathibe in goal in place of Nigerian international Greg Etafia, the former Kaizer Chiefs player gave a flawless performance and proved his mettle in the opening eight minutes with two superb saves.
Swallows gradually found their footing, with the return of Bjorn Guggar and Bevan Fransman consolidating a defence that has looked suspect at times this season and Tsweu Mokoro, Lefa Tsutselupa and Mark Hoskins forming a dominant trio in midfield.
Arrows’ finishing became increasingly more off-target and ragged as the game progressed, with Swallows coming desperately close to increasing their lead when Mokoro led a 10-minute onslaught midway through the second half that almost produced a goal on half-a-dozen occasions.
Hunt closed shop in the final 10 minutes with substitutions designed to hold on to the three valuable points — and despite the constant probing from Mabuthi Khanyaza, Arrows rarely looked like equalising.
Maximum points for Sundowns
Sundowns collected the maximum three points after beating Black Leopards 3-0 at Super Stadium in Pretoria on Sunday. The half-time score was 1-0.
Sundowns opened their scoring spree in the 33rd minute through Godfrey Sapula after he connected a cross from defender Vuyo Mere.
Leopards almost equalised in the 40th when Christopher Netshidzivhe strike hit the upright.
Sundowns continued to pile on the pressure in the second half and were rewarded in the 57th minute when Surprise Moriri headed home a Sapula corner. Leopards responded with an attack of their own, but Jabulani Maluleke’s header was well saved by Calvin Marlin.
Sundowns made it three in the 68th minute when substitute Lumgisani Ndlela headed home a pinpoint cross from Lerato Chabangu.
In the 80th minute Netshidzivhe received his marching orders for diving.
Sundowns lost defenders Mere and Mbulelo Mabizela to injury after reckless tackles on them, with Mere having to be stretchered off. — Sapa