Swallows earned a vital three points in their quest for DStv Premiership safety after clinching a 2-1 victory against CAF Champions League-chasing Kaizer Chiefs on Monday at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.
The Dube Birds were at the tail of the log standings in 12th position before their Workers’ Day bout against fourth-placed Amakhosi in Polokwane and now surge to eighth position after their 28th league game of the 2022/23 campaign.
Two weeks ago, the Soweto side was in 14th place and on 28 points, but back-to-back wins against relegation-threatened Maritzburg United and Chiefs have pushed Swallows beyond their relegation rivals.
Swallows, who moved to 34 points, have two games remaining and top-flight status is all but secured for another season since their promotion from the National First Division four years ago.
Mathematically, 16th place Maritzburg (25 points) and 15th place Chippa United (26 points), who both have three games left, can still force the calculators to be pulled out as the season reaches its boiling point.
Meanwhile, Chiefs’ hopes of finishing as runners-up to league winners Mamelodi Sundowns and joining Masandawana in next season’s Champions League campaign are fading.
As CAF rules state, the final spot in the Champions League will go to the team that finishes second in the league.
Second and third place Orlando Pirates (49 points) and SuperSport United (47 points), respectively, each have a game in hand, leaving Amakhosi (44 points) staring at another campaign without playing in Africa’s premier inter-club competition.
However, Chiefs can only blame themselves and will rue their chances at failing to win against Sekhukhune United a fortnight ago and to Swallows on Monday.
Amakhosi’s defensive frailties were evident again, as they have been all season, with their high press backfiring in the seventh minute as no less than five yellow jerseys failed to stop Swallows.
Gregory Damons completed the stunning counterattacking move on his second attempt at goal after Itumeleng Khune parried the save into his path.
Arthur Zwane’s charges responded 15 minutes later courtesy of Christian Saile Basomboli, who equalised from close range via a Mduduzi Shabalala free kick.
Chiefs then conceded their 31st goal of the season as Keegan Shannon Allan bicycled the ball into the path of former Orlando Pirates star Bongani Sam.
He headed home from close range and celebrated emphatically by taking off his jersey as the winning goal secured the Dube Birds’ Premiership safety.
