Malinga brace helps Birds ease relegation woes

After suffering a sucker punch, the Chilli Boys chased the game in search of an equaliser. Chippa went about their usual game and would eventually get their goal via Thabiso Lebitso. He ran onto Ethosia Ighodaro's flick and controlled the ball as he beat the Swallows' defence with his pace before putting the ball in the net.

The second half started like a house on fire with both teams going at each other. They exchanged attacks in the opening minutes of the second stanza like boxers when they try to stamp their authority in a match. There was not much coordination from the teams in the final third as they could not create decent chances. 

With 25 minutes to go in the game, the Soweto-based team would go in front again through Malinga, the midfielder got his brace with a header from Lindokuhle Mtshali 's corner to give his side a 2-1 lead.

Ernst Middendorp's team kept the ball away from Chippa, disturbing their attacking flow. Chippa searched for the equaliser but failed to break the Swallows' defence structure. The final whistle went off and brought out a big smile from Middendorp as his troops got three valuable points.