Royal AM leapfrogged Kaizer Chiefs into second spot on DStv Premiership table after thanks to Elias Pelembe's superb late winner against Swallows.
Result: Royal AM 1-0 Swallows FC
Date: 06 March 2022
Venue: Chatsworth Stadium
Royal AM were unchanged from their 2-0 victory over SuperSport United, while Lebohang Mokoena replaced Spesihle Mbhele in the Swallows starting lineup following their 1-0 win over Sekhukhune United.
In the seventh minute, Khetukuthula Ndlovu unleashed a powerful effort towards goal which Royal AM goalkeeper Hugo Nyame did well to hold on to.
With a quarter of an hour gone Mxolisi Macuphu was brought down by Mokoena. Lantshene Phalane whipped in the free-kick and Ricardo Nascimento's was saved in the bottom right corner by Swallows goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni.
It was Swallows who were having the better of the chances as next Ndlovu brought a fine save out of Nyame with another well-struck long-range effort.
Royal responded when Macuphu should have done better from close range but side-footed just wide of the right-hand post from Mkhize's delivery into the box.
The Birds continued to apply the pressure after half-time and Ndlovu was at the heart of everything good coming from Dylan Kerr's side as he next had an effort cleared off the line in heroic fashion by Nascimento.
And Kerr would have been wondering how his side were not in the lead as next Musonda missed a gilt-edged opportunity when he skied a sitter over the bar from Dillon Solomon's cross.
Thwihli Thwala were reduced to ten men with 15 minutes to go when Zukhile Mkhize was given a straight red card for a horrendous challenge on Keletso Makgalwa.
Despite being a man down and second-best for most of the match, Royal AM snatched victory when Elias Pelembe scored with a fantastic scissor-kick volley into the top left corner after the ball had bounced up for him in the box with the final kick of the match to break Swallows' hearts.
Royal AM: 16. Nyame, 20. Mkhize, 14. Matlaba, 3. Nascimento, 11. Potsane, 18. Mashikinya, 13. Manganyi, 8. Phalane, 12. Mahlasela, 9. Macuphu, 13. Letsoalo
Subs: 25. Mpoto, 50. Masuku, 34. Thikazi, 7. Pelembe, 2. Msomi, 30. Monamodi, 10. Mabena, 28. Mabuza, 42. Ncobeni
Swallows: 17. Ngobeni, 18. Solomons, 5. Letlabika, 28. Sasman, 24. Basadien, 9. Mokoena, 33. Khupe, 3. Mahlatsi, 10. Saleng, 22. Ndlovu, 20. Musonda
Subs: 31. February, 36. Mohamme, 15. Nyatama, 47. Wambi, 29. Mbhele, 45. Ntshumayelo, 21. Margeman, 35. Makgalwa, 26. Malinga
