Nesengani Junior Swallows kissed the Vhembe District Mayoral challenge goodbye when they suffered a 2-3 defeat at the hands of Makhitha Yellow Birds at the Malamulele Stadium on Saturday.

Although Yellow Birds scored two early goals, Junior Swallows did not surrender.

Yellow Birds opened their account in the 8th minute. Their tall striker, Lucky Funyufunyu, dribbled past two Swallows defenders in a row and gave the keeper, Pfarelo Madilonga, no chance. The team from the west of Louis Trichardt scored another one a little later. It was Phumudzo Tseisi who blasted in a volley, after a beautiful pass from Tshililo Mukwevho.

Junior Swallows came close to scoring in the 28th minute, when Shandukani Mukoma’s half volley missed the target by inches. They managed to reduce one before the end of the first half, however. Ntsieni Makhado received a neat pass from Nkhumeleni Ramulifho and hit the target to bring the half-time score to 2-1.

Yellow Birds introduced three new faces early in the last half. They replaced Alert Madima, Lucky Funyufunyu and Mukosi Mafenya with Lawrence Tshifura, Mulalo Tshamano and Fourie Nematshema respectively. Junior Swallows responded by effecting two changes to their original lineup. Authur Muligi and Kleintjies Sadiki gave way to Mulalo Mulaudzi and Daniel Maripani respectively.

Yellow Birds put matters beyond doubt when they scored the third via Moses Nematswerani.

Mukosi Mafenya of Junior Swallows was booked for the application of dirty tricks. Shandukani Mukoma scored the second for Junior Swallows with a fine header, four minutes before full time.

Swallows then threw everything within their reach in search of the equalizer, but in vain.