’LANDERS BACK IN PREMIER LEAGUE

BIG-BEND – It is now only a matter of 90 minutes and maximum points before Mbabane Highlanders are officially declared back in the elite league in only a season in the National First Division League.

Their 2-1 win over mid-table Tambuti yesterday almost confirms that the country’s fallen giants, who rewrote history books when they were relegated last season, are back in the top league. This win, their 13th in 17 games took them to 32 points, 12 ahead of second-placed Mhlambanyatsi Rovers who have played the same number of games.

Highlanders also went 14 points clear of third-placed Red Lions who have played two games less.
With five games left before Highlanders finish the league season, an additional three points is all they need now to pop the champagne bottles.
However, their supporters are already singing songs like ‘Woza uzocolisa  makhelwane’ as Inkunzemnyama is back and when new signee in left winger Mpucuko Dlamini waltzed his way past a cluster of Tambuti defenders before beating goalkeeper Thokozani Mkhulisi with a neatly curled shot to hand his side the winner, they sang it as they had every right to celebrate their imminent return.

The goal came in stoppage time as the young star who was no doubt the Man of the Match ensured they walked out with the maximum points. The score had been 1-all with Tambuti scoring first in the 8th minute through striker Ishmael Zwane.

Impressive attacking midfielder and Captain Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze gave his team the equaliser, beating Tambuti’s Thokozani Mkhulisi on the rebound after he spilled his initial header from a well weighted Mpucuko cross, this time from the right flank.

It was such wild scenes of jubilation for the over 1 000 travelling Highlanders supporters who could be heard loudly saying ‘they were back’ and Moneni Pirates will be their first official match, they joked as the two sides meet in the SwaziBank Cup quarters on Sunday.

inevitable

Meanwhile, Highlanders’ return to the top flight now looks inevitable especially with such a good lead at the summit. The black and white ensemble now have to play Hellenic, Red Lions, Rovers among others, sides they beat in the first round.

To date, Highlanders have lost one match to Imphumelelo who thumped them 4-1 at Mayaluka in the second round, hence they are now just a step closer to the elite league. Second-placed Rovers would only settle at 45 points if they won their remaining five while Red Lions finish at 49 if they win all

.
However, at the rate things are going, Highlanders could finish beyond all of them if they keep up their unbeaten run to the end with 57 points. Their coach Basil Petersen, however, said they needed to win every game to protect their reputation as they look to be back in the top league.
“Today (yesterday) we didn’t really play a good game.

It wasn’t easy and I think it’s because we’ve somehow stopped our normal passing game but I’m happy we still got the full points and need to win till the end,” he said.
He said their focus was now on the SwaziBank Cup quarter-final clash against Moneni Pirates who he said they will match pound for pound.

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