Swallows FC scored in stoppage time to beat Royal AM 1-0 win in their DStv Premiership opener on Sunday afternoon.
The Birds made just a change from the side that defeated Pirates in the MTN8, as Yagan Sasman was handed his debut while Royal AM retained a regular line-up of former Bloemfontein Celtic players, with only Kabelo Mahlasela and Elias Pelembe starting from the original squad.
Swallows were in their usual manner were energetic in the opening exchanges. While the visitors were looking out of shape, John Maduka’s men had a good defensive shape and were resolute at the back.
However, Brandon Truter’s men should have been ahead in the 19th minute after Dillion Solomons went past his marker and managed to send a cutback into the area but Lebohang Mokoena was not sharp enough to bundle it home.
Royal played second fiddle for the rest of the half, relying on counter-attacks with Ndumiso Mabena and Mahlasela at the front of it all but Swallows were also solid at the back.
After the break, it remained same way as both sides failed to create enough goalscoring chances. However, the Birds turned up the heat on the visitors early on but they lacked the finishing touches inside in the final third.
In a bid to change the context of the game, Truter made a tactical change just before the hour-mark by bringing on Keletso Makgalwa in place of Solomons.
On the other hand, Maduka responded with a double change of his own, as Harris Tchilimbou replaced Pelembe in an attacking move while Levy Mashiane came on for Menzi Masuku in midfield.
With the game delicately poised and destined for a barren draw, late substitute Mbulelo Wambi headed home a Makgalwa’s cross to hand the home side all three points.