‘BULL’ RELEGATE RED LIONS

Red Lions……. (0)0
Highlanders….. (1)3
Mthobisi 23rd, 75th, Thabiso 70th

LOBAMBA – A wasteful Mbabane Highlanders condemned Red Lions to their second relegation in five years following a 3-0 win yesterday.

As the always energetic Highlanders supporters crooned their new happy song entitled ‘Siyekeleni Sijabule’ at the sound of pint-sized referee Lucky ‘Makalakalane’ Ndlangamandla’s final whistle, it was misery for ‘Amabhubesi’. Goals from brace hero Mthobisi Mngomezulu and Thabiso Mokenkoane confirmed the home team’s worst fears, as they were relegated with three games to spare, following a dismal campaign, which was headlined by unrest and internal problems.

 It was a sad reminder of the 2012/13 campaign when they went down after collecting only 13 points all season. The Dumsani Mhlanga-led ensemble’s next three fixtures against Manzini Wanderers, Royal Leopard and Matsapha United will be a mere formality. Currently on 12 points, they would have continued to breathe if they won, as they could still match 12th-placed Vovovo’s 23-point tally.

Ironically, the same team (Highlanders) that got relegated with Red Lions in the same season had to decide the latter’s fate yesterday, but showed no mercy to move two places up the charts to occupy the fifth spot with 34 points. However, the result was not a true reflection of the game, as Highlanders could have easily doubled their tally, if they were more clinical in front of goal.

Micheal Musonda was guilty of missing most of the glorious opportunities.
Red Lions had tried to shut down the visitors’ wing play, but were eventually derailed as Mthobisi steered home the opener with a hard shot in the box, as the defenders stuttered in clearing their lines. It was a goal that separated the two teams during the interval.

Highlanders were still in the ascendancy on resumption of play, with Musonda opting to sky his effort from two yards out from a Thabiso supply in the 48th minute. From a Xolani ‘Chocco’ Sibandze corner kick, skipper Talent Maposa had to clear a Mncedisi Dlamini effort from the goal line.

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