Swallows FC rallied from behind to secure a spot in the Nedbank Cup last 16 with a 2-1 victory over GladAfrica Championship side TS Sporting.
Nedbank Cup Last 32
Teams: Swallows 2-1 TS Sporting
Date: 05 February 2022
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
The Birds rotated the side the that last drew with Golden Arrows in the league, with only goalkeeper Thela Ngobeni, Kamohelo Mahlatsi, Monnapule Saleng, Fawaaz Basadien and Mwape Musonda retaining their places.
Swallows had a bright start as Musonda had big chance to give them the lead in the 19th minute after going through on goal but he fired his strike straight at goalkeeper Samkelo Mbambo in a one-on-one.
Abantu Bemthetho eventually broke the deadlock a minute later courtesy of strike by Sibusiso Fakude in the six-yard box from a corner situation.
Dylan Kerr's charges were pressurising TS Sporting after that and Lehlogonolo Matlou had a shot cleared off the line in the 33rd minute by Rooi Mahamutsa and Swallows continued to create chances in the tail end of the first stanza but lacked the finishing touches.
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Kerr brought in Ruzaigh Gamildien at halftime in place of Musonda and the hosts levelled matters three minutes into the second stanza after Sasman finished off a set-piece routine in the box from Gamildien's pass.
Gamildien gave Swallows the lead four minutes later with a strike from the centre of the box into the top corner after he was teed up by Dillion Solomons.
Benson Mhlongo's troops were threatening to get the equaliser with their attempts at goal but Gamildien came the closest to giving the hosts a two-goal cushion in the last quarter of an hour with a strike in the box that came off the post.
In the end, Swallows were able to hold off any late push from the visitors in the closing stages to seal a spot in the round of 16.
Here's how they started:
Swallows: 17. Ngobeni, 47. Wambi, 34. Sait, 28. Sasman, 24. Basadien, 3. Mahlatsi, 33. Khupe, 42. Matlou, 10. Saleng, 26. Malinga, 20. Musonda
Subs: 31. February, 36. Mohamme, 21. Margeman, 15. Nyatama, 29. Mbhele, 40. Muwowo, 35. Makgalwa, 12. Gamildien, 18. Solomons.
Sporting: 28. Mbambo, 44. Fakude, 31. Mahamutsa, 39. Ngobe, 27. Ndlovu, 16. Sekese, 38. Zacarias, 11. Mabeba, 15. Youssouf, 9. Mokate, 24. Sithole.
Subs: 1. Maova, 2. Mogaswa, 3. Maphosa, 12. Mogale, 37. Mtombeni, 48. Khwinana, 49. Debouto.
