Rookies Tuks stun Swallows

A goal eight minutes from time by Mpho Maruping saw the University of Pretoria claim a 3-2 win over Moroka Swallows in an Absa Premiership match at Dobsonville Stadium on Friday night.

The University team took the lead on three spate occasions, but saw their lead eroded twice before the late goal saw them remain unbeaten in the league.

The first 45 minutes saw Mame Niang of Tuks causing numerous problems for the Swallows defence as he threatened with his speed and skill in attack, and dominated the aerial battle as well.

The visitors made their intentions clear early on as Niang saw his powerful shot from just outside the box flash inches wide of the upright in only the second minute of the match.

Niang’s threat was made clear in the tenth minute when he gave the PSL rookies the lead as he out-jumped his marker to head home a cross from the left wing by Lionel Mutizwa, 1-0.

Swallows, though, were not to be outdone and quickly hit back in the 21st minute as Lerato Chabangu played Katlego Masehgo into space and he made no mistake from just inside the box to level matters, 1-1.

The game moved from end to end after that as both teams looked to attack, but it was Swallows who were again caught out in the air six minutes before the break as Niang grabbed his second goal.

The second half saw the Dube Birds on the attack from the get go as they looked to level matters for the second time.

But while the home side dominated matters in the second 45, they struggled to create any decent chances in front of goal and often squandered possession in the final third of the field.

That was until the 78th minute when Bennett Chenene found Swallows’ second equaliser.

The Birds man showed a real strikers’ instincts when he pounced onto a ball which had been parried by the Tuks’ keeper and he did not hesitate to tap it in from close range, 2-2.

Swallows fans’ hearts, however, were broken four minutes later when the University team took the lead for the third time.

Some sharp interplay saw Mpho Maruping find some space inside the 18-yard box and he showed good composure to pass the ball into the bottom right-hand corner, 3-2.

It was a lead the Tuks side would not give up as they picked up their second three pointer of the season and remain unbeaten in the PSL this season.

Moroka Swallows (1) 2
University of Pretoria (2) 3

Teams

Swallows: Mathibe; Isaacs, Mungomeni, Nergadze, Lekgothoane, Tsutsulupa, Mashego, Chabangu (Khumalo 71’), Chenene (Sibaya 84’), Maleka, Obada (Mathebula 61’)

Tuks: Arubi; Mphahlele, Shoyisa, Mkhwanazi, Sibande, Matsi, Maruping, Mutizwa, Ngoma (Sekotlong 88’), Zungu (Selolwane 67’), Niang (Sibisi 74’)

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