Cruising towards what appeared a comfortable flight home to Johannesburg with three much-needed Absa Premiership points, Moroka Swallows conceded a reckless 59th-minute penalty to ultimately share the spoils with Bay United in a 1-1 draw at the Eastern Province Rugby Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Siyabulela Songwiqi gave Nigerian international goalkeeper Greg Etafia no chance with the resultant powerhouse spot-kick — and, urged on by a modest but enthusiastic and vociferous crowd, United went on to find a fresh lease of life and earned an invaluable point in their bid to avoid the spectre of relegation.
Bustling Sandile Ndlovu, returning to soccer after a lengthy absence through injury, opened the score for the Birds in the 12th minute as he calmly gained possession following a hectic scrimmage in the penalty area and beat United goalkeeper Arthur Bartman with a well-placed shot into the corner of the net.
Seemingly playing within themselves and dominating possession, a composed Swallows looked in control for most of the opening half, and Ndlovu came desperately close to increasing their lead before the interval.
It was a different story in the second half, with Etafia regularly called into action as United gave as good as they got as play switched rapidly from one goalmouth to the other. United all but snatched a sensational victory in the closing minutes. But while substitute Macdonald Mukhansi managed to slot the ball into the net during referee’s optional time, the substitute striker was penalised for what was a clear-cut infringement immediately before shooting
In another Absa Premiership game played on Sunday, Kaizer Chiefs beat Thanda Royal Zulu 2-1 — Sapa