Moroka Swallows assistant coach Zeca Marques says the 'Birds' are relived that they have finally won their first match of the 2009/10 Absa Premiership season.

This comes after Swallows edged out Free State Stars 1-0 at Goble Park in Bethlehem.

Said Marques: "What a massive relief and you have no idea what this win means to us.

"Frankly it kick starts our season. The three points have lifted the spirits of the players and technical team as it was vital that we ended our poor start to the season and we did in a difficult place like Goble Park against a tough side like Stars."

It was not a convincing 90 minutes against Stars, but a goal in the 74th minute from former Bafana Bafana striker Siyabonga Nomvete, was enough to send Stars to their first defeat and Birds go home with their first win under their belts.

Said Marques: "The goal has also done Nomvete's confidence a power of good. When we signed him in the off-season we knew he could do a job for us and now he has shown he can still scored vital goals."

Marques added that the performance of the side did not matter. "We knew we had to beat Stars in order to take the pressure and the stress off the players.

"It did not matter one bit how good or bad we played. We succeeded and the relief was there to see in the dressingroom.

"For the first time this season we had something to smile about."

'Birds' new coach Rainer Zobel, had asked for more commitment and effort from his players and he got just that on a difficult surface.

But Marques said his players were not complaining about the pitch. "The playing surface looked a lot worse than it was.

"It was not that bad to play on and we adapted fairly quickly. We were not in the least worried as long as we went home with three points.

"The trip home was a lot happier than the trip down to Bethlehem. We have got back our self belief and now have a break for 10 days to work with the players and build up this winning momentum. The 'Birds' are back in business at last."

There will be a 10 day break before Swallows host Santos in their next league fixture at the Dobsonville Stadium on September 13 due to the Fifa international break.

Bafana leave on Tuesday for Leverkusen where they will play Germany on Saturday and then travel to Ireland to play Ireland at Limerick on September 8.

Said Marques: "This win and break have come at just the right time for us and we need to make the most of it."

While Marques and Zobel are happy with Nomvete and former Zambian striker Collins Mbesuma, they want more effort form giant striker Lungisani Ndlela.

Ndlela, who also joined the club in the off-season, had a poor match and was replaced by Nomvete at half-time.

"Ndlela needs to get more involved. We need him to throw his weight around and use his height inside the opponent's penalty area.

"He did not play to his strength which is his height. We will be looking for more commitment from him this season. "But Mbesuma and Nomvete have shown they are going to be big assets to us this season," said Marques.