Cape Town — Swallows FC eased their relegation concerns after they drew 1-1 with Maritzburg United in a DStv Premiership match at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Tuesday night.
Despite the draw, Amaswaiswai climbed out of the relegation zone and they are now placed 14th on the league standings, while the Team of Choice remained 12th on the table after fighting back against the Soweto giants.
Amaswaiswai were determined to avoid their fourth consecutive defeat, and they took an early lead through last season's GladAfrica Championship Golden Boot winner Monnapule Saleng.
The Orlando Pirates loanee beat goalkeeper Marcel Engelhardt with a decent finish to make it 1-0 to Swallows with the Team of Choice's defence exposed just six minutes into the encounter.
Saleng looked hungry for goals on the night as the speedy winger hit the post and Kagiso Malinga forced Engelhardt into a save from the rebound as pressure mounted on the Maritzburg defence.
Swallows were leading 1-0 during the halftime break having created the better chances in the first half against Maritzburg, who had to find a way to level matters after the restart.
The Team of Choice came back rejuvenated following their halftime team talk with coach Ernest Middendorp and they managed to level matters through Friday Samu.
The Zambia international hit the back of the net just two minutes into the second half to make it 1-1 as he netted his second goal in South African football.
Having netted against Mamelodi Sundowns last week, Ruzaigh Gamildien had a chance to make it two goals in as many league games, but he was superbly denied by Engelhardt.
The momentum was with Amaswaiswai in the latter stages of the encounter, but they couldn't keep their attempts on target, and ultimately, the match ended in a 1-1 stalemate on the night.
IOL Sport