Times Of Swaziland: ‘BULL’ OFFICIALLY BACK IN PREMIER LEAGUE

‘BULL’ OFFICIALLY BACK IN PREMIER LEAGUE
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BY CHRIS DLAMINI on 29/03/2014 10:06:00


LOBAMBA – It is now official, Mbabane Highlanders are back in the Premier
League.
Wild celebrations were the order of the night as the black and white ensemble
narrowly beat a stubborn Hellenic by 1-0 at Somhlolo National Stadium. Team
boss, Bheki ‘Rubber’ Simelane, the technical bench, other officials and
players flashed smiles while watering the turf with champagne after the sound of
referee Ernest Dlamini’s whistle after substitute Sipho Tsabedze’s late
strike sealed promotion for the outfit.
After only a season in the ‘wilderness’, Highlanders proved that they did
not belong in the National First Division, winning the promotion with four games
to go.
They are 15 points clear at the top and they will still be promoted even if they
lose all the remaining games.
Despite a scare by the visitors, who frustrated Bail Petersen’s charges from
spraying their neat and penetrative passes, the hosts showed character in front
of a boisterous home crowd to have the last laugh.
There were no goals at the break. Tsabedze, who replaced Mphucuko Dlamini, who
was average on the night, pounced on a loose ball in the box from a rebound to
fire home 18 minutes from time.
Hellenic had a fair share of scoring chances and Gcina Dlamini was denied
scoring opportunties twice by Highlanders goalkeeper, Thokozani ‘Beetle’
Mamba.
The lone strike separated the two sides and this meant Highlanders would only
fight to be champions as their place in the Premier League was guaranteed.