Ndengane scores late penalty as Tshakuma deny Swallows in Soweto

07 March 2021 - 18:27 By tiisetso malepa
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Swallows FC players
Swallows FC players
Image: Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

Swallows looked on course to get their campaign back on track and stay in close touch with the chasing pack after midfielder Zephaniah Mbokoma scored his second league goal of the season to put the home side in front just after half an hour of action at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto.

Brandon Truter must have thought a run of six matches without a win was coming to an end as Swallows hung on to their lead until the 90th minute when substitute Phetso Maphanga had a rush of blood to the head and needlessly bundled defender Ndengane over inside the box.

Ndengane picked himself up and blasted home the penalty for a share of the spoils.

Swallows‚ who lost their first league match of the season against TS Galaxy in Mpumalanga last week‚ are winless in seven matches and the draw sees them fall down to fifth position on the log.

They have 31 points after 18 matches and started this match in fourth spot‚ but a Lamontville Golden Arrows win over Black Leopards in Limpopo in the other match of the day saw the KZN side overlap Swallows in to fourth.

Swallows were toe-to-toe with the undefeated leading champions Sundowns a few weeks ago but this horrific run of seven matches without a win has seen the promoted side fall behind. Coach Truter has a mammoth task to motivate his charges and continue to punch above their weight.

Tshakuma enjoyed a bright start to the match and looked the likely team to score first‚ but Swallows goalkeeper Virgil Vries twice denied striker Rulani Manzini from inside the box before the home side took the lead.

Tshakuma remain in a spot of bother in 14th position on the log but Leopards losing at home to Arrows means they are now four points away from automatic relegation danger.

Tshakuma came into the match after registering their first back-to-back league victories of the season and will be encouraged by the point away at Swallows that extends their unbeaten run to three matches.


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