All Nations give up on survival bid

MBABANE – “We are in a danger area and it is saddening; the defeat diminished our chances of closing in those above us and I can safely say chances of being relegated stand at 90 per cent.”

These were the exact words of Shiselweni-based National First Division side All Nations’ mentor Elmon Nxumalo after their 0-1 defeat by Pigg’s Peak Black Swallows on Saturday. The former NFD log leaders Rangers coach said it was saddening to see the rookies occupying the relegation area with results not forthcoming.

“Despite our intact game tactics, we do not score goals which have seen us winning with solitary goals even when we win. We have good boys but lack experience and have not a good finishing,” Nxumalo said.

One experienced name in his squad is former Manzini Wanderers and Green Mamba’s Sifiso ‘Mkhelele’ Mdluli. They are deep in the relegation zone on position 12 with 22 points collected. Only three fixtures are remaining in the league.

Defensive

“We were casual and defensive in the first half, and we did not create scoring opportunities. We realised that mistake and we were a bit aggressive in the second half when we created a lot of scoring opportunities and missed. They got one and utilised it perfectly,” noted Nxumalo.

Meanwhile, his counterpart Mbongeni Dlamini said they were lucky to snatch the win, which gave them crucial points to stay clear of danger.

“It was a balanced game that could have gone either way. My boys managed to get the crucial points. We had a crippled squad following a number of suspensions but we got the crucial points that helped us move out of the danger zone. I was given a task to help the team survive relegation and probably next season, we will be contesting for promotion,” Dlamini said.

Black Swallows are eighth on the log six points away from the drop zone. and