Late Penalty Sees Swallows Draw With SuperSport

Swallows scored a stoppage-time penalty to force a 2-2 draw with SuperSport United in their DStv Premiership fixture at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Friday night.

The result sees SuperSport remain eighth on the table, while Swallows stay 15th, but  move on to 24 points, three ahead of bottom-placed Baroka, and two behind 14th-placed TS Galaxy.

SuperSport United 2-2 Swallows

Thamsanqa Gabuza had a chance in the sixth minute for the home team, but his snap shot flew high and wide.

But two minutes later SuperSport were in the lead, as Kegan Johannes poked in from close range to make it 1-0 to the home team. 

Gabuza almost doubled the lead in the 12th minute, but despite beating Jody February, his shot hit the upright and bounced clear.

Swallows were trying to get back into the game and just after the twenty-minute mark Dillon Solomons and Monnapule Saleng had chances for the visitors, but both went wide. Ruzaigh Gamildien’s long range attempt in the 34th minute was saved by Boalefa Pule. 

Saleng shot over just before the break, and at halftime SuperSport remained in the lead. 

But five minutes into the second half, Swallows were level, Gamildien doing well to blast home at close range from a Saleng assist, after the SuperSport defence was unable to clear their lines. 

Saleng forced a save from Pule in the 54th minute, as the on-loan Orlando Pirates player continued to cause problems for the hosts.

February saved Jamie Webber’s 64th-minute shot, before Solomons made an important last-gasp clearance three minutes later to deny Gabuza another chance.

But no one could stop Iqraam Rayners in the 69th minute, as he timed his finish to Gamphani Lungu’s cross perfectly and swept it in to make it 2-1.

Yagan Sasman went wide with fifteen minutes to go, as a desperate Swallows pushed for a way back into the game.

Thalente Mbatha’s effort in the 86th minute wasn’t far off target, while at the other end Saleng’s free kick in the 89th minute went straight at Pule.

Swallows were awarded what looked a soft penalty on the 90th minute after Selaelo Rasebotja was adjudged to have brought down Kagiso Malinga. Solomons stepped up and made no mistake to grab the late equaliser.

It was a much-needed point for Dylan Kerr’s strugglers, but another disappointing result for SuperSport, who once again were unable to hold onto a result after going in front, though they may feel aggrieved by Victor Hlungwane’s awarding of the last-minute penalty.

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