Swallows FC gave their survival hopes a massive boost after defeating bottom side Maritzburg United on 1-0 Thursday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Swallows FC 1-0 Maritzburg United
Date: 27 April 2023
Venue: Dobsonville Stadium
Swallows made one change from the 3-0 loss against Stellenbosch, as defender Mthokozisi Shwabule took the place of striker Waseem Isaacs.
Maritzburg, meanwhile, showed attacking intentions, as they welcomed back Jose Ali Meza from suspension alongside a recall for Amadou Soukouna in their two changes following a last-gasp 1-1 draw against Richards Bay.
The Birds had a chance to get an early goal after a precise cross by Tshediso Patjie in the box but Kwanda Mngonyama's dipping header was parried away by goalkeeper King Ndlovu.
The intensity of the game was at a good level but the sides cancelled each other out, as clear-cut chances were hard to come by.
Fadlu Davids' charges were forcing matters towards the interval and Soukouna almost broke the deadlock with a rocket from range that needed the strong hands of shot-stopper Daniel Akpeyi just under the crossbar, who was well positioned and the first stanza came to a close without goals.
Swallows absorbed the pressure and played on transitions coming from the break and Gregory Damons had a good chance nine minutes in after he received a diagonal cross unmarked at the back post but he chose for a headed cut-back instead of going for goal, with only Ndlovu to beat.
The Team of Choice eventually made a tactical change just after that to reinforce their attack as Kwame Peprah replaced Wayde Jooste and on 66 minutes, Isaacs came on for Kagiso Malinga for fresh legs up top for Swallows.
Musa Nyatama's troops were more threatening on counter-attacks as Patjie came close to breaking the deadlock 20 minutes before time with a diagonal shot in the box that forced Ndlovu into an out-stretched save.
Both sides felt they could steal the three points as the intensity increased in the dying minutes and late substitute David Uromi finally got the decisive goal for Swallows four minutes before time with a stunning curling shot from the edge of the box after a counter-attack.
The win lifted the Birds up to 12th on the table, five points clear of the relegation zone while Maritzburg remained at the bottom of the log, three points behind 14th-placed Marumo Gallants.
Here's how they lined up:
Swallows: 55. Akpeyi, 66. Sam, 34. Sait, 4. Allan, 44. Mngonyama, 6. Mthethwa, 7. Mtshali, 25. Patjie, 18. Damons, 23. Shwabule, 26. Malinga
Subs:31. Mbanjwa, 2. Sibiya, 32. Lukhubeni, 3. Isaacs, 38. Uromi, 19. Rusike, 20. Musonda, 39. Matsheke, 70. Macheke
Maritzburg United: 31. Ndlovu, 3. De Goede, 22. Theron, 14. Meza, 27. Ndengane, 28. Palace, 5. Makume, 11. Soukouna, 12. Njoti, 45. Jooste, 26. Kimvuidi
Subs: 32. Learner, 16. Ritchie, 46. Peprah, 24. Bhengu,10. Human, 23. Moloisane, 17. Conco, 20. Samu, 50. Tlolane
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