Swallows FC struck in the dying stages of the second to secure a 1-0 win over DStv Premiership debutants Royal AM on Sunday afternoon.
DStv Premiership
Result: Swallows FC 1-0 Royal AM
Date: 22 August 2021
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
The Birds made only one change from their win over Orlando Pirates in the MTN8, as Yagan Sasman was handed his debut while Royal retained a regular line-up of former Bloemfontein Celtic players, with only Kabelo Mahlasela and Elias Pelembe starting from the original squad.
Swallows were energetic in the early stages, looking to catch the visitors cold but John Maduka's charges had a good defensive shape at the back and did not look out of place.
However, Brandon Truter's men should have been ahead in the 19th minute after Dillion Solomons beat his marker on the left wing and played a cut-back that needed a tap-in at the near post but Lebohang Mokoena was not sharp enough to capitalise.
Royal were absorbing the pressure in the closing phase of the first stanza, posing danger on counter-attacks with Ndumiso Mabena and Mahlasela their focal point upfront but Swallows were also solid at the back.
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The Birds were pressurising the visitors in the early stages of the second stanza, finding joy mostly on the right wing but they lacked the finishing touches inside the box which forced Truter to make a tactical change just before the hour-mark by bringing on Keletso Makgalwa in place of Solomons.
Maduka responded with a double change of his own, as Harris Tchilimbou replaced Pelembe in an attacking move while Levy Mashiane came on for Menzi Masuku in midfield.
With the game seemingly headed for a goalless draw, late substitute Mbulelo Wambi snatched the winner for Swallows deep in stoppage time with a free header inside the box after getting on the end of Makgalwa's cross.
Here's how they started:
Swallows: 30. Vries, 27. Matlaba, 34. Sait, 5. Letlabika, 28. Sasman, 42. Matlou, 15. Nyatama, 9. Mokoena, 22. Ndlovu, 18. Solomons, 12. Gamilden.
Subs: 31. February, 2. Sibiya, 8. Mere, 33. Khupe, 47. Wambi, 10. Saleng, 11. Mbokoma, 35. Makgalwa, 3. Mahlatsi.
Royal AM: 31. Chaine, 19. Matjila, 22. Rikhotso, 24. Lingwati, 35. Baloyi, 18. Mashikinya, 8. Phalane, 50. Masuku, 12. Mahlasela, 7. Pelembe, 10. Mabena.
Subs: 16. Nyame, 4. Mereko, 46. Mdluli, 27. Tchilimbou, 29. Van Der Ross, 20. Mkhize, 38. Mashiane, 32. Malope, 13. Mangany.
