It might have been somewhat of an exaggeration when Moroka Swallows coach Gavin Hunt proclaimed after his team’s 2-2 Premier Soccer League (PSL) draw against Black Leopards at Germiston Stadium on Sunday that it had been a game ”we should have won by seven, eight or nine goals”.
His comment aptly reflects, however, how the Birds squandered a golden opportunity of climbing from eighth position in the PSL log to a challenging fourth place after leading 2-0 following an hour’s play and seemingly cruising to a comfortable victory.
Even the sensational volleyed goal from Leopards substitute Tebogo Mashaba in the 60th minute provided scant evidence that Swallows were heading for a costly fade-out, with Robert Ngambi’s equaliser in the 72nd minute handed to him on a plate by sloppy defending from Patrick Mabedi and Goodman Mazibuko.
Leopards, in fact, were the more purposeful and incisive combination in the final 30 minutes and because of this probably warranted a valuable point — in spite of Swallows’ earlier domination.
The Birds opened the score in the 30th minute through Namibian striker Elrico Botes after receiving a pin-point pass from Cecil Oerson. When lanky Mame Niang recorded a second goal in the 60th minute from a rebound, it seemed more than a hint that the fat lady was about to start singing.
Swallows, however, had other ideas and with complacency creeping into their play and their work rate on a sultry afternoon reduced to a pedestrian level, Leopards gratefully pounced on the opportunity to come back into contention.
Nigerian international goalkeeper Greg Etafia brought off two dramatic point-blank saves for the Birds in quick succession in the 31st minute, but in the main it was Swallows who wasted countless inviting opportunities — with Chalwe, Niang and Botes all culpable in this respect.
And with a double substitution during the final 15 minutes only making matters worse, the Birds’ plumage was well and truly ruffled by the time referee Ace Ncobo blew the final whistle.
Three goals for Cosmos
Leading PSL goal scorer Chris Katongo of Jomo Cosmos scored a hat-trick against Amazulu to give help his team to a 4-2 win in a match played at Durban’s Princess Magogo Stadium on Sunday. The half-time score was 1-1.
Cosmos always looked the more dangerous side in the first half, with Anthony Larfour missing at least four sitters in the opening 20 minutes. The visitors were rewarded for their attacking play in the 30th minute when Katongo scored the first of his three.
Amazulu equalised in the dying minutes of the first half via a strike from Sibusiso Ntulu.
The home side surprised their opponents when they went ahead in the 63rd minute through John ”Shoes” Moshoeu. However, 10 minutes later Katongo scored his brace to draw Cosmos level at 2- 2. Katongo then completed his triple act in the 83rd minute after receiving a neat pass from Renile Letsolenyane.
Letsolenyane made sure of the win in the 90th minute with Cosmos’ fourth goal.
Celtic, Santos draw
Bloemfontein Celtic and Santos played to a 2-2 draw in a PSL game played at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Bloemfontein on Sunday. The score was 1-1 at half-time.
The home team went ahead in the 24th minute when Moses Spandeel headed home a rebound off the crossbar, beating Santos goalkeeper Wayne Roberts. The goal did not rattle Santos and the visitors applied the pressure to a shaky Celtic defence. They were rewarded in the 44th minute with an equaliser from midfielder Kwena Mathopa.
The second half began at a blistering pace with both teams searching for the lead. Santos fulfilled their ambition when striker Irwin Isaacs put his team 2 -1 ahead in the 60th minute.
However, to the disappointment of Santos coach Roger de Sa and their supporters, Celtic’s super-sub Petrus Mahlatsi, who replaced defender James Madidilane, made sure of the draw when he connected a cross from striker Lebohang Kukame in the 90th minute. — Sapa