The question is: has Moroka Swallows finally found a settled center-back pairing duo capable of steering the Dube Birds to calmer waters in the Absa Premiership.

That's one of the major talking points that emerged from Tuesday night's 1-0 win over a resilient Black Leopards side at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.

The shutout was the culmination of a strong defensive performance by the central pairing, led by the central defensive duo of Larry Cohen and Roger Da Costa. Based on their postgame comments Cohen and Da Costa believe they are a match made in heaven.

"It felt really comfortable and playing with Larry (Cohen) has been great," Da Costa said after the match. "We complement each other very well and I see us moving forward."

"We have a great understanding of how each other play, a good partnership," Cohen said. "And I love playing with Roger. He's a real easy guy to play off of. I just know what he's going to do. He's very good in the air and with his tackles and so as a partner of his, it's easy to play off of him."

Why such a symbiotic relationship on the field between the two? The players and coach Zeca Marques credit the weeks spent together in the most recent January break during Afcon, and Da Costa says "for us two it was crucial."

The 26-year-old Da Costa and 25-year-old Cohen, lined up alongside each other for the first time on February 26 in a 3-2 win over Orlando Pirates and they have not looked back ever since forging a central duo that has everyone taking notice of.

"They were great, especially there's been a little unfair criticism saying they were too young and inexperienced," Coach Maques said. "They proved a lot of doubters wrong today and especially Cohen stepping into a team like Swallows from a struggling Chippa side. The two of them have been exceptional for us and its down to all the hard work they put in during the Afcon break."

The new dynamic duo had a slow start to the 2012/13 season, but injuries and suspension to other notable players in the squad has given them an opportunity that they have both grabbed with both hands. They have played with uncanny composure and tenacity, defusing countless attacks from some of the Leagues deadliest strikers.

But as good as the Da Costa-Cohen combo has played thus far, Marques was measured in his future projections.

"It gives us more options again looking forward into a very busy schedule." Marques said. "I think now having Roger growing and maturing and Larry growing and maturing we have now options to pull from."