(At Bhunya Stadium)
L. Killers.........................0
R. Rhinos........................2
Boy Boy 59th , Ncamiso 65th
BHUNYA – Red Rhinos made history by becoming the first team to win the inaugural MulaSport National First Division (NFD) League.
The Lubombo-based outfit were relegated from the MTN Premier League in May 2023, at the end of the 2022/23 season. They were officially condemned to the drop zone in Week 24 after a 2-1 loss to Manzini Wanderers, which left them mathematically unable to escape the relegation places. They were called Tambankulu Callies by then.
Red Rhinos came to this match perched on the summit tied with Pigg’s Peak Professional on points and they needed nothing less than three points to be crowned champions. There was nothing to write home about in the first 45 minutes, as the two teams failed to make any attempt at goal as Referee Thembinkhosi ‘Dovos’ Dlamini blew his whistle to signal the end of the first stanza.
The second half saw the Minister for Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs, Bongani Nzima, arriving to witness the crowning of the champions.
Ludzeludze Killers showed more hunger to break the deadlock and were unlucky when Nkhosinathi Dlamini’s shot inside the box narrowly missed the target in the 52nd minute of the match. Red Rhinos eventually broke the deadlock a minute before the hour mark when Boy Boy Mkhabela tapped in from a telling cross delivered by Bhekani Mtsetfwa.
The visitors added the second goal six minutes later when Ncamiso Nkhwanyana lopped the ball over the advancing Killers goalkeeper Nkululeko Magagula to make it 2-0.
The two second half were enough to send Red Rhino back to the premier league after three years to claim the E200 000.
The win for BoBhejane saw Killers packing their things back to the Manzini Regional Super League for the first time in over a decade. The seasoned and CAF referee ‘Dovos’ blew his final whistle to confirm the Lubombo side back into the MTN Premier League with E200 000 in their pockets in the presence of Minister Nzima and PLE Chairman Polycarp Dlamini, as well as MulaSport Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Khaya Magagula.
Red Rhinos made history by becoming the first team to win the inaugural MulaSport National First Division (NFD) League.