On Friday evening, Sekhukhune United secured a 1-0 victory over Swallows FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, allowing them to climb to fourth place on the DStv Premiership table.
Sekhukhune made three changes to their line-up, with Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya, Elias Mokwana and Tlotlo Leepile all returning to the starting XI. Swallows, on the other hand, were without Gregory Damons, with Mthokozisi Shwabule earning his second start of the season.
RESULTS
Sekhukhune 1-0 Swallows
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The game began brightly for Ernst Middendorp’s side, but it was the hosts who nearly grabbed the lead on the 14th minute when Leepile had a crack at goal from a tight angle, only for Thakasani Mbanjwa to pull off a great save. The game became a scrappy affair, but Sekhukhune had the momentum in the last third.
Mokwana forced another save from Mbanjwa with a looping shot in the box, while Chibuike Ohizu squandered a good chance just before the half-time break after failing to hit the target from close range.
Neither side took the game by the scruff of the neck coming from the interval, but it took a moment of brilliance from Ntiya-Ntiya just after the hour-mark to break the deadlock. The midfielder fired a screamer from out of the box that sailed into the top corner, giving Sekhukhune the lead.
Swallows responded and started threatening with 20 minutes to go as Junaid Sait forced a great save out of Sangare with a powerful strike. Middendorp reacted by making an attacking substitution with 15 minutes left in the second half, as Lindokuhle Mtshali replaced Shwabule.
The Birds almost snatched the equaliser in stoppage time with a header from Waseem Isaacs that came off the post, but Sekhukhune held on for the win to leapfrog Kaizer Chiefs in fifth spot on the table. Swallows, meanwhile, find themselves in 14th position.
