Nedbank Cup
Result: Swallows FC 1-0 Cape Umoya United
Date: 07 February 2021
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
Swallows maintained their unbeaten start to the season after defeating Cape Umoya United 1-0 for a spot in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 on Sunday afternoon.
The Birds made wholesale changes, with only Thabo Matlaba, Fawaaz Basadien and Kgaogelo Sekgota remaining in the line-up from their draw with SuperSport United.
Swallows were at this stage of the tournament for the first since 2018 after they were knocked out in the first round by eventual finalists Maritzburg United.
On the other hand, the Spirited Ones had fond memories in the competition after they reached the quarter-finals in 2019 as debutants before their road was ended by eventual winner TS Galaxy.
Brandon Truter's charges were putting the visitors under pressure, with Sekgota coming close to breaking the deadlock in the 24th minute after forcing goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua into a fine save, which proved to be the best chance of the first half.
The game opened up in the early exchanges of the second stanza, as Kamohelo Mahlatsi eventually broke the deadlock for Swallows 11 minutes after the break with his first goal of the tournament.
Swallows had their tails up after that and Truter brought on Joseph Mhlongo in place of in place of Basadien to keep Cape Umoya on their toes at the back.
With De Sa's troops unable to threaten shot-stopper Thela Ngobeni in Swallows' goal in the closing stages, the Birds held on in the end to clinch a narrow win that earned them a place in the last 16.
Check out Swallows signings for the 2020/21 season:
Here's how they started:
Swallows: Ngobeni, Matlaba, Sait, Sibiya, Hlanti, Seabi, Nyatama, Basadien, Sekgota, Mahlatsi, Gamildien.
Subs: Thabalalaa, Gozar, Mere, Joseph Mhlongo, Mbokoma, Maphanga, Malinga, Ritchie, Shwabule
United: Kazapua, Mdunyelwa, Kammies, Pietersen, Gumede, Moekoa, Morton, Poggenpoel, Ndondo, Khumalo, Mapfumo.
Subs: Mbanjwa, Baartman, Nyoni, Rodgers, Letsoenyo, Dubula, Dyani.
