Posted in News on Oct 04, 2002.
This was an open game in the first half, but it was Swallows who played the more enterprising football. The
Birds could have upset the AmaKhosi as they had the lion's
share of chances at goal, but they failed to capitilise.
Midfielder Japhet Zwane and Dominic Isaacs caught the eye with some creative play to give the Chiefs defence a hard time.
Samuel Ngobeni had a chance in the fifth minute for Swallows,
but his shot floated over the bar. He came close again in the 30th
minute inside the box, but Chiefs 'keeper Brian Baloyi covered well
and was on the spot to save.
Again Ngobeni went onto the attack again in the 41st minute. He was in a good position to receive a a superb cross from Isaacs, but his
header went over the bar from close range.
Chiefs counter-attacked and Swallows were nearly punished after
a weak back pass from Warren Lewis put keeper Conrad Hendricks
under pressure, but he managed to clear into the crowd.
Chiefs midfielder Stanton Fredericks got a chance in the 42nd
minute, but ballooned it over the bar to miss the last chance at
goal before the interval.
In the second half Chiefs coach Mushin Ertugral brought in
Arthur Zwane for Justice Sithole and he made the all difference in the
midfield, giving it more punch.
Zwane got his first chance in the 68th minute, but Hendricks got
a hand to it and pushed it around the post for a corner.
Then Chiefs got their act together with striker Musasa and David
Radebe combining superbly.
Musasa received a sweet square ball from Radebe in the 64th minute and the striker made no mistake with a powerful drive into the low right hand corner of the net that left Hendricks spreadeagled.
Minutes later Chiefs were unlucky not to get a penalty after Warren Lewis brought Musasa down inside the box, but the referee judged it the other way and awarded the free kick to Swallows.
