MBABANE – A legal storm is brewing between Mbabane Highlanders and Rangers over the future of winger Mpilonhle ‘Loshy’ Khumalo.
The capital city giants are said to have moved to recall the player ahead of the highly-anticipated Mbabane derby against Mbabane Swallows at Mavuso Sports Centre on Sunday.
The dispute hinges on conflicting interpretations of a loan agreement. While Highlanders have demanded the player’s immediate return, Rangers insist the winger is theirs for the duration of the campaign.
Rangers’ Team Manager Thokozani Ndzinisa confirmed receiving formal correspondence from Highlanders requesting Khumalo’s reinstatement.
“Yes, Highlanders wrote to us recalling Khumalo. But the agreement was that the player was loaned to us for a season,” Ndzinisa stated. He added that the club’s Board would meet to formulate a response to the ‘Black Bull’, as Highlanders are affectionately known.
‘‘Loshy’ was at training yesterday and I expect him there today. The letter stated they want the player back by tomorrow,” Ndzinisa noted.
The situation has been further clouded by contradictory statements from within the Highlanders camp. The club’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Khayelihle ‘Karas’ Dlamini, initially appeared unaware of the recall. After consulting the technical bench, he offered a different perspective.
“Regarding Khumalo, I have just confirmed with one of the coaches that he was loaned for a season-long period at Rangers, and he shall remain with the team until that period elapses,” Dlamini said. “Otherwise, he is not in the plans of the team at the moment.”
The disparity between the formal letter sent to Rangers and the PRO’s comments suggests a significant breakdown in communication at the capital city club.
Khumalo, along with midfielder Sandile ‘Ghana’ Ngcamphalala, originally joined Highlanders from Rangers in July 2024. Ahead of the current season, the ‘Black Bull’ sanctioned several loan moves to ensure their fringe players gained match fitness.
Despite the off-field distractions, Rangers remain focused on their upcoming Shiselweni Derby against Nsingizini.“The fixture is nothing special; we have a mandate to fight for every point,” Ndzinisa insisted. “We will prepare for Nsingizini the same way we would prepare for any other team in this league.”
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