VANDERBBILPARK.- Royal AM hammered Swallows FC ‘babies’ 4-0 in a DSTV Diski Challenge fixture.
This game which formed part of the DSTV Diski Challenge double header took place at Isak Stayl Stadium in Vanderbijlpark on Saturday. Despite the score, it was not just a walk in the park for Royal AM especially in the first half as they had to sweat for this victory.
Credit should go to Swallows goalkeeper, Mpho Maikhoso, for saving them from more embarrassment, especially toward the end of the game. It could have been worse but thanks to Maikhoso who made brilliant saves to deny Royal AM forwards from scoring more goals.
At this stage of the game, the Kwa-Zulu-Natal-based side was all over the Swallows with the home team’s bench watching in disbelief waiting for the referee to blow the final whistle to save them from more embarrassment.
The local soccer fans on the stand, the majority of them being VUT students, rallied behind the visitors, especially the students who come from Kwa Zulu-Natal. The atmosphere was electrical in the stands every time Royal AM launched an attack. Maikhoso made five saves in a one-on-and-one situation on more than five occasions to deny Royal AM from scoring more goals.
Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport after the game, Sibonelo Mathenjwa was not pleased not only with the results but with his team’s performance on the day. He told Sedibeng Ster Sport that they could have done better especially taking into consideration how they started the game before they conceded a goal in the run of play.
Swallows lost their player early in the first half when Buhle Bente was stretched off the field after he suffered a serious injury on his ankle.
“I thought we started the game well and we could have scored but were let down by decision making and they punished us. They converted all the chances they created and I feel we could have also defended better. But some of the players are still young and they will learn that if you don’t take your chances there are serious consequences. However, this defeat is water under the bridge and life must go on as we prepare for our next game,” said Mathenjwa.
