All Stars break Swallows hearts

Cape Town All Stars claimed an impressive 2-1 win over Swallows FC in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) promotional/relegation playoff match at Danie Craven Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The win saw Igugu Lekapa end their unsuccessful playoffs campaign with a victory as they came from behind to defeat the Soweto giants with Ronaldo Maarman and Ndiviwe Mdabuka scoring for the hosts.

Despite the defeat, Amaswaiswai's ambitions of retaining their status in the South African top-flight are still alive, having failed to hold onto their lead after scoring through Grant Margeman against All Stars.

Swallows remained second on the playoffs standings - one point behind leaders, the University of Pretoria with the two teams set to meet in Tshwane on Wednesday. The winner of this final match will book their spot in the elite league for the 2022-23 season.

Although Igugu Lekapa threatened first through Thabo Makhele, who failed to hit the target from close range with a header which flew just over the crossbar, it was Amaswaiswai who created the better chances.

Goalkeeper Kyle Peters had to produce a fabulous finger-tip save to deny Lehlogonolo Matlou. The All Stars shot-stopper then pulled off a fantastic diving save - blocking a left-footed shot from Dillon Solomons as the visitors looked to break the deadlock.

Peters was the busier of the two keepers as the former Bidvest Wits player made another save with the halftime break approaching and this time he was denying Kagiso Malinga whose header was blocked by the shot-stopper to ensure that the first half ended goalless.

Swallows continued where they had left off in the first half as they piled pressure on All Stars. However, Peters remained a big stumbling block for the visitors, with the bulky keeper pulling fine saves to deny Kamohelo Mahlatsi and Monnapule Saleng.

Igugu Lekapa did threaten after they were awarded a free-kick in Amaswaiswai's half, with Lesvin Stoffels forcing keeper Jody February into a brilliant save. The deadlock was finally broken in the 63rd minute when Margeman fired past Peters with a low long-range shot to make it 1-0 to Swallows.

The All Stars technical team then introduced Maarman, who went on to make an impact as the 22-year-old forward beat February with a rasping long-range shot to make it 1-1 in the 88th minute following a mistake by Wandisile Letlabika, who had given away possession in his own half.

It was then end-to-end stuff, with Mbulelo Wambi being fantastically denied by Peters. The hosts were awarded a penalty at the other end in stoppage time after Letlabika had handled the ball in the visitors' box and Mdabuka beat February from the spot-kick to seal All Stars' 2-1 win.

All Stars 2 (Maarman 88, Mdabuka 90'+2)

Swallows 1 (Margeman 63')

All Stars: Peters: Kammies (Dlamini 79'), Makhele, Booysen, Moloisane, Mdabuka, Ntsabo (Sandows 87'), Morton, (Nyembe 71'), Poggenpoel, Stoffels (Maarman 71'), Figareido (Rodgers 87').

Swallows: February: Sasman (Basadien 73'), Sait, Letlabika, Solomons, Wambi, Margerman, Matlou (Nyatama 68'), Saleng (Sibiya 90'+3), Malinga (Musonda 46'), Mahlatsi (Mhlongo 83').