Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Mcelwa Nchabeleng

Moroka Swallows are known as "The Beautiful Birds" in football circles, but there has not been any beauty in their play of late.

They have lost five matches on the trot and this popular epithet is now irrelevant. These days they could as well be known as "The Hideous Birds".

Swallows were once counted among the title chasers but they are now in a precarious position. They could be axed in May if they continue to drop valuable points in the run-in.

Swallows are in action on Sunday and it should be fascinating to see how they handle themselves against fellow battlers Thanda Royal Zulu at the Germiston Stadium.

Amabhubesi go into this 3pm tie with a psychological boost after they clipped the Birds wings in the first round, winning that match 4-2 at Hammarsdale.

Swallows are 11th on the log, six points off the danger zone. At 14th place TRZ are just two points away.

The home side, coached by Julio Leal, will have everybody available for the match, bar suspended defender Fabian McCarthy.

It has been hard, but Swallows have the players with the temperament to turn the ship aroundon Sunday. They include the industrious Lefa Tsutsulupa, whose contribution is immense.

But he cannot do it alone and it is up to the likes of Cecil Oerson and Mark Haskins to assist.

But TRZ's Nigerian linkman Felix Obada and Nkosinathi Nhleko should trouble the hosts.

Their coach Roger Palmgren, who is expecting a tough outing, will be without the injured Phil Evans and Musa Nyatama.

AmaZulu, who have been doing splendidly lately, should beat David Bright's Santos at Chatsworth in another Sunday match that also kicks off at 3pm.