Swallows win not enough for title

Captain Lefa Tsutsulupa scored the single goal but in vain as Moroka Swallows defeated Maritzburg United 1-0 at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Saturday afternoon in an Absa Premiership match.

The victory meant nothing though, as Swallows lost the league title to Orlando Pirates who defeated Golden Arrows 4-2 in Durban to win the league.

Maritzburg had a chance in the third minute when a shot by Philani Zulu from the left wing missed the goal.

In the 25th minute, Maritzburg again had a chance as Michael Morton’s shot from distance went wide of goal.

The league’s top goal scorer Siyabonga Nomvete had a chance to score the crucial goal that the Birds needed in the 25th minute, when he turned and shot inside the box but the ball went over the bar.

Three minutes before the break the home side again had a chance when Morton shot from range, but the ball went high into the stands.

The match went into halftime at 0-0.

Six minutes into the second half Maritzburg United's Ryan De Jong had a shot from outside the box but his attempt was saved by Swallows ‘keeper Greg Etafia.

In the 56th minute Swallows were in with a shot of opening the scoring. After great work from David Mathebula on the edge of the box, he laid the ball onto Nomvete who blasted over the bar.

But in the 68th minute the Birds would finally go ahead through their inspirational captain. A great free-kick floated into the box by Lerato Chabangu and Tsutsulupa flicked the ball into the net.

The match ended with Swallows winning, but their quest for a first PSL league title ended in sorrow.

Maritzburg: S Walters; R Evans, M Diouf, B Hendricks, R De Jongh; M Morton, K Madondo; F Obada (D Sibis 75’), K Lentjies, P Zulu; C Malajila

Swallows: G Etafia; Mapemba, A Hendricks, G Nergadze, S Lekgothoane (J Mayinga 56’); L Tsutsulupa; B Chenene (M Maleka 53’), J Makhanya, L Chabangu (M Sibya 84’), D Mathebula; S Nomvete

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