BLOW FOR ’LANDERS

Bheki ‘Rubber’ Simelane.

MBABANE – SwaziBank Cup quarter-finalists and First Division League leaders Mbabane Highlanders’ current management will be put to the test as team boss Bheki ‘Rubber’ Simelane has to relocate to Nelspruit in South Africa.

Simelane, according to reliable sources got the news yesterday morning that he would have to relocate to Nelspruit as the project required his undivided attention.
“He is to move to that side as he also has offices in Nelspruit but this project requires him to be there on a daily basis, hence he must relocate to see it through for four years,” said one of the sources.

It was also established that Simelane received the news with joy – at least that he had got some work that would bring income for him but also had a bitter feeling since he can no longer be able to run the club on a day-to-day basis as currently is the case.
“He is our sole director and doing a good job with the club. One can only hope he works out something especially because the current MC is not yet ready to be left in charge by itself,” said a source.

Simelane, when reached, confirmed the latest development and admitted it was troubling him already.
“I’m in a fix of some sort as the team currently needs me to be here full-time but this project also needs my attention. I currently can’t say much but I know it is a headache because even if I decide to travel daily, it would be challenging,” he said.

However, he said there should be no discomfort as he was not about to step down but would look for alternatives like perhaps hiring someone to represent him in the SA project while he concentrates on the club.

This news comes in the wake of Simelane recently getting a five-year contract to run the club as a sole director and his mandate was to get it promoted back to the elite league, which he has done and then from there on make the team the title winning side they used to be.
Simelane said he was set to travel to Nelspruit today to seal the deal after which he would find a way forward once he knew all the pressures of the work. The club’s PRO Themba Khumalo also confirmed the news.

“It is bittersweet news as Simelane is the club boss and also a businessman. We’re aware but he has ensured us he was going to work something out. He’s assured us the team will not be affected instead he will do all to be around when needed,” he said.

Khumalo said this should not cause any fears to the players and the entire Highlanders family as Simelane would still be there for the club. He encouraged their supporters to focus on the SwaziBank Cup quarter-finals and cram the stadium to cheer their idols against Moneni Pirates on Sunday at Somhlolo National Stadium.

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