MTNFootball

Capital City giants Mbabane Swallows and Mbabane Highlanders advanced to the semi finals of the Swazi Charity Cup after beating Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows and Manzini Wanderers respectively.

Watched by the biggest crowd ever recorded in the season opener’s 11-year history, a strong 17 000 crowd, Mbabane Swallows avenged their SwaziBank Cup loss to the unfashionable National First Division side by annihilating the Piggs Peak based outfit 4-1.

Zimbabwean born goalkeeper Ephraem Mazaruza opened the scoring sheet in the 35th minute from the spotkick awarded after Black Swallows defender, Musa Dlamini brought down striker, Sabelo Ndzinisa inside the box.

Talent Maphosa added the second two minutes before half time with a glancing header.

 Dreadlocked striker, Mfanafuthi ‘Taribo’ Bhembe, added the third goal in the 67th minute before Sabelo Ndzinisa put matters beyond the reach of Black Swallows who found their consolation goal through Njabulo Tfwala in the 82nd minute.

In the day’s main draw card, Mbabane Highlanders raced to a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals by Sabelo Gamedze in the 13th minute and an easy tap –in by striker, Msimisi Ncanywa in the 35th minute.

Wanderers did ensure there was an exciting end to the game when defender, Lwazi ‘Shana’ Maziya’s pile-driver in the 51st minute beat Highlanders goalkeeper, Sebenele Malaza hands down.

The ‘Weslians’, whose presence in the 17 000 strong crowd was unquestionable, were unlucky when a rocket by midfielder Xolani ‘Papi’ Sikhondze cannoned off the bar ten minutes before full time.

The draw for the semi finals will be conducted on Monday morning.

By Lwazi Dlamini