2009 Nedbank Cup champions Swallows came from behind to beat Safa division two side Mbombela in extra time on Saturday

By Austin Ditlhobolo

Moroka Swallows went into the match looking to avoid another early exit in the Nedbank Cup as they were knocked out by SuperSport United in the same stage last season.

Mbombela stunned the hosts when they broke the deadlock as early as the fourth minute. Forward Mlungisi Nkosi showed some brilliant skill to beat Swallows defender Gilbert Mapemba just inside the box before hitting the back of the net.

Seven minutes later, the Birds should have equalized after former Orlando Pirates winger Dikgang Mabalane played in a great cross from the right. However, Swallows captain Lerato Chabangu failed to strike the ball towards the goal posts from eight yards out.

From there on the hosts took control of the match winning a number of corner-kicks. Swallows defenders Ashraf Hendricks and Larry Cohen headed their attempts at goal wide of United goalkeeper Skhumbuzo Khalitshwayo's goal.

Seven minutes before half time, United burst into a quick counter attack from the right. Winger Bonolo Patjie skillfully beat his marker and curled in a beautiful strike which narrowly missed the target with Swallows keeper Sage Stephens rooted to the ground.

Swallows midfielder Nergadze missed a glorious opportunity inside the box during referee Damiel Volgraaff's optional time. The Georgian had time to turn and shoot at goal, but his low drive was inches wide.

The home team continued to push for the equalizing goal very early in the second half. Their long balls and crosses into the box were easily dealt with by United keeper Khalitshwayo in the first ten minutes.

Bafana Bafana midfielder Chabangu unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box with his weaker foot in the 58th minute. The thunderbolt beat keeper Khalitshwayo hands down to make it 1-1.

Two minutes later, the home side nearly made it 2-1. Striker Siyabonga Nomvete was just unfortunate as his header was cleared off the line by a United defender.

Things were definitely heating up in the second half. United winger Patjie showed some great foot work again, dribbling his way inside the Birds box before hitting the back of the net. The away side were now leading 2-1 with 27 minutes left on the clock.

United keeper Khalitshwayo reacted very well to Swallows substitute Edward Manqele snap shot from six yards in the 79'minute. The burly keeper brilliantly saved the low drive with ease.

Nonetheless, eight minutes later Manqele made no mistake as he tucked in a low cross from winger Vuyisile Wana and made it 2-2.  

In the 89th minute, keeper Khalitshwayo parried  away Birds forward Wana's strike from the edge of the box. The home side were piling pressure onto the away team's defence.

At the end of regulation time it was 2-2. The entertaining match was headed into extra-time. Swallows finally grabbed the lead for the first time on the night when wing back Mpemba's floated cross into the box was headed home by Wana in the fifth minute of extra-time. 

Just ten minutes later, Manqele made it 4-2  to Swallows as he found himself unmarked inside the box with the United defence caught napping and headed home Mabalane's dipping cross from the right.

United pulled one back three ninutes before the end of extra-time. United's Bongani Ndlovu beat keeper Stephens on his left, however, the Birds held on for a 4-3 win in extra-time.

http://www.goal.com/en-za/news/5096/nedbank-cup/2014/02/22/4638621/moroka-swallows-4-3-aet-mbombela-united-birds-escape-embarassing-