Manqele the hero for Swallows

Moroka Swallows striker Edward Manqele continued his fine form, giving his club a win over AmaTuks in their Telkom Knockout tie at Dobsonville Stadium.

Manqele’s 25^th minute strike from a Giorgi Nergadze pass was enough to separate the teams on a night where clear cut goal scoring chances were few and far between.

The opening ten minutes of the match were not very inspiring as both sides gave possession away far too often and there was a lack of quality in the final third of the field.

First to have a chance at goal was AmaTuks striker Atusaye Nyondo, but he could not keep his effort from going past the upright inside the first 20 minutes. Then Geoffrey Massa saw his effort fly over the crossbar for Tuks.

Five minutes later, Swallows took the lead when Giorgi Nergadze found Edward Manqele inside the 18 area and the in-form marksman beat Washington Arubi in goal.

Steve Barker’s men did not really trouble Greg Etafia in goal for The Birds and the teams went into the break at 1-0 to Swallows.

In the opening ten minutes of the second half, Swallows kept the ball very well and made AmaTuks work hard for possession. Manqele had the first real chance of the half, in the 55th minute, but Washington Arubi saved the chance easily.

Then, as the second half wore on, the tackles became more and more ferocious as both teams looked to take a hold on the game. Khethukuhle Zwane and Chanangu were both booked in quick succession.

After 68 minutes Geoffrey Massa had a chance at the far post, but he could not keep his header down.

In the closing stages of the match, Swallows did fashion another chance but Manqele’s shot from a tight angle was way off target when a cross would have been a better option.

Moroka Swallows (1) 1 (Manqele 25’)

University of Pretoria 0

TEAMS

Swallows: Etafia, Mungomeni, Da Costa, Cohen, Mokgothu, Mbekile, Nergadze, Chabangu (Ogle 74’), Tsutsulupa, Nomvete (Obada 74’), Manqele

AmaTuks: Arubi, Kekana, Shoyisa, Mkhwanazi, Moussono, Phalane, Mosadi (Selolwane 67’), Ngubane (Tarumbwa 83’), Zwane, Nyondo, Massa

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