Dube Birds head coach, Craig Rosslee, decided to bring Nigerian
goalkeeper, Greg Etafia, back in goal in place of Sage Stephens which
proved a masterstroke as Etafia put in a man of the match performance.
Maritzburg should have gone ahead as early as the second minute through
Kurt Lentjies, but the skipper placed his effort wide of the mark from
inside the area.
The hosts made the Maritzburg pay for that miss when an un-marked Felix
Obada headed into the far corner to give Swallows the lead with their
first attack of the game.
Swallows were presented with an opportunity to extend their lead in the
18th minute, when Siyabonga Nomvethe broke free down the middle but
Maritzburg's Shu-Aib Walters came rushing off his line to deny the
midfielder.
Steve Komphela's side nearly leveled matters in the 34th minute but
Mondli Cele headed over from six-yards out, after being picked out at
the near post.
Swallows went into the halftime break with their one-goal lead, which
was also largely down to Etafia, who pulled off a couple key saves.
The second half proved to be a dull affair , despite Maritzburg chasing
the game and the first and only clear-cut chance of the half arrived in
76th minute when Lantshene Phalane's effort sailed just over the
crossbar.
Komphela's side continued to search for an equaliser in the closing
minutes, however they could not bypass a resolute Swallows defence.
The win moves the Dube Birds off the foot of the table, three points
ahead of AmaZulu, who face SuperSport United on Saturday night.
They are also now only two points behind 14th placed Chippa United.
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