WHEN Keegan Ritchie scored for Moroka Swallows against Mpumalanga Black Aces at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto last night, he did not foresee the carnage that would soon follow as the visitors ran riot to win their Telkom Knockout last-16 round of matches 3-1.
Swallows had made an almost perfect start to the game but as it has become the norm lately, Aces managed to come back and spoil the party for them. With the rain pouring down, there were fears the game would not go ahead, but fortunately for the supporters the rain cleared.
With a place in the last eight of the tournament to play for, the Dube Birds' intentions were clear from the onset. In the fourth minute, Morgan Shivambu drew a good safe from Aces goalkeeper Francis Chansa who, although the safe was very good, typically made a meal of it.
Five minutes later, Swallows had a corner. Keegan Ritchie stepped up, swung the ball in and it ended in the back of the net. Brilliant! Whether Ritchie was aided by the blowing wind would have mattered little to him as Swallows were in the lead.
A goal up and their supporters breaking into song, Swallows failed to take control of the game and AmaZayoni sensed the weakness.
On the 12th minute, Aces' Vusiwe Masondo, who had been having a good game out on the left hand side, tested Greg Etafia with a stinging shot, but the Nigerian's outstretched arm tipped the ball for a corner kick.
But with four minutes remaining before the interval, Marawan Bantam rose to head home the equaliser. In the second half, Aces continued to press forward and took the lead on the hour mark when Lindokuhle Mbatha put the visitors ahead.
Mpho Maleka scored Aces' third and last goal of the match after a good cross from Masondo.
AmaZayoni clip Swallows' wings
WHEN Keegan Ritchie scored for Moroka Swallows against Mpumalanga Black Aces at Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto last night, he did not foresee the carnage that would soon follow as the visitors ran riot to win their Telkom Knockout last-16 round of matches 3-1.
Swallows had made an almost perfect start to the game but as it has become the norm lately, Aces managed to come back and spoil the party for them. With the rain pouring down, there were fears the game would not go ahead, but fortunately for the supporters the rain cleared.
With a place in the last eight of the tournament to play for, the Dube Birds' intentions were clear from the onset. In the fourth minute, Morgan Shivambu drew a good safe from Aces goalkeeper Francis Chansa who, although the safe was very good, typically made a meal of it.
Five minutes later, Swallows had a corner. Keegan Ritchie stepped up, swung the ball in and it ended in the back of the net. Brilliant! Whether Ritchie was aided by the blowing wind would have mattered little to him as Swallows were in the lead.
A goal up and their supporters breaking into song, Swallows failed to take control of the game and AmaZayoni sensed the weakness.
On the 12th minute, Aces' Vusiwe Masondo, who had been having a good game out on the left hand side, tested Greg Etafia with a stinging shot, but the Nigerian's outstretched arm tipped the ball for a corner kick.
But with four minutes remaining before the interval, Marawan Bantam rose to head home the equaliser. In the second half, Aces continued to press forward and took the lead on the hour mark when Lindokuhle Mbatha put the visitors ahead.
Mpho Maleka scored Aces' third and last goal of the match after a good cross from Masondo.