Dube Birds bring an end to Stellies' long unbeaten run

Moroka Swallows massively boosted their survival hopes with a 2-0 victory over high-flying Stellenbosch at the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday.

A second win in three games gave the Dube Birds an eight-point cushion to Richards Bay, although they remain unmoved in the DStv Premiership standings in 13th place.

Steve Barker's side suffered their first defeat in 20 matches to open up the door for Orlando Pirates to reclaim second position when they face the Natal Rich Boyz later in the day.

Goal Scorers
34th ⚽ Mtshali
73rd⚽Mhango pic.twitter.com/o9aiP0rovN

— Moroka SwallowsFC (@Moroka_Swallows) May 11, 2024

Swallows were looking to bounce back from a 2-0 loss to Cape Town City in midweek which left them five points clear of the danger zone, while Stellies aimed to maintain their impressive unbeaten run, having played out to a 0-0 draw with AmaZulu three days earlier.

Musa Nyatama made two changes from the clash with the Citizens, bringing in Vusi Sibiya for Ntsikelelo Nyauza and Lindokuhle Mtshali for Augustine Mahlonoko.

Barker opted to replace Andre de Jong with Antonio van Wyk, who came off the bench against Usuthu.

Mtshali was making his first appearance in four games and it turned out to be a masterstroke from Nyatama after the winger opened the scoring in the 34th minute following good work from Gabadinho Mhango.

The hosts took their one-goal lead into the halftime break and Stellies showed more urgency in the second half as they pushed for an equaliser.

But they were caught out at the back with time running out when Mhango doubled the Dube Birds' advantage to register his seventh goal of the season, with Mtshali returning the favour after providing the assist.

Barker used all five substitutions in a bid to get back into the contest, but Swallows held firm at the back to complete the league double over the Maroons.

Moroka Swallows: (1) 2 (Mtshali 34', Mhango 73')

Stellenbosch: 0

Moroka Swallows: D. Akpeyi, T. Maponya, K. Mngonyama, V. Sibiya, N. Ngqonga, R. Sanou, L. Phalane (T. Mthethwa 46'), J. Everson (G. Damons 46'), G. Mhango (O. Khumalo 90+1'), S. Khumalo, L. Mtshali (Y. Djaha 89').

Stellenbosch: S. Stephens, D. van Rooyen (G. Palace 65'), T. Moloisane, I. Toure, F. Basadien (Q. Sibande 78'), S. Nduli (K. Jurgens 65'), J. Adams (N. Mgaga 78'), D. Titus, A. Van Wyk, A. Oura (A. de Jong 65'), I. Rayners.