Swallows FC gave their survival hopes a massive boost after defeating AmaZulu FC 1-0 on Saturday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: AmaZulu 0-1 Swallows FC
Date: 01 April 2023
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Coach Romain Folz went for Junior Dion and Bonginkosi Ntuli to lead the attack, while goalkeeper Jody February and Sphesihle Maduna also earned recalls to the line-up.
Swallows, meanwhile, went for Waseem Isaacs and Kagiso Malinga in the attack while Nigerian goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi kept his spot between the sticks.
After a quiet opening, Swallows went close to breaking the deadlock after the 20-minute mark through a header from Isaacs, but February was equal to the task with a superb save.
The Dube Birds made their promising opening count when they took the lead in the 27th minute, with Malinga getting his fifth league goal of the season with a close-range finish.
Folz charges pushed for a way back into the encounter but were unable to trouble AKpeyi in goals, as the visitors went into the break with a slender lead.
It was more of the same at the start of the second half, which prompted Folz to bring in reinforcements just before the hour mark as Maduna and Tercious Malepe made way for Guily Manziba and Rally Bwalya.
Swallows responded with a couple chances of their own, as interim coach Musa Nyatama threw on Tawanda Macheke and Mthokozisi Shwabule for Tshediso Patjie and Lindokuhle Mtshali as they looked to solidify their lead.
There would be no late come back for the KwaZulu-Natal outfit, who slumped to a second successive league defeat and leaves the side in tenth position.
There was a bit of a scare at the end of the clash, as AmaZulu's George Maluleka was stretchered into an ambulance after apparently collapsing.
Swallows, meanwhile, have jumped to 15th position, seven points clear of bottom-placed Marumo Gallants and six points clear of the play-off spot.
Here's how they lined up:
AmaZulu: 30. February, 5. Sikhakhane, 14. Hanamub, 24. Zulu, 17. Gumede, 4. Malepe, 12. Maluleka, 10. Maduna, 7. Ntuli, 33. Dion, 47. Qalinge
Subs: 42. Mabiliso, 22. Khumalo, 36. Kunene, 50. Bwalya, 18. Brooks, 3. Ndlovu, 35. Manziba, 20. Majoro
Swallows: 55. Akpeyi, 44. Mngonyama, 7. Mtshali, 6. Mthethwa, 4. Allan, 66. Sam, 34. Sait, 18. Damons, 26. Malinga, 3. Isaacs, 25. Patjie
Subs: 31. Mbanjwa, 38. Uromi, 23. Shwabule, 2. Sibiya, 32. Lukhubeni, 28. Sasman, 70. Macheke, 24. Amoojee, 39. Matsheke
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