No elite return for star-studded Ezulwini United
L. Killers ............. 2
Mncedisi 57th, Mlandvo 90th
E. United .............. 2
Zweli 10th, Msibi 53rd
ANZINI – It was a case of so near yet so far for Ezuwini United who yesterday missed out on the promotion back to the top flight.
This is after they were held 2-all by Ludzeludze Killers and second-placed Illovo’s win over champions Rangers on the same day. For Ezulwini United to get promotion in just one season they needed to win and then have Illovo lose or draw, but the opposite happened. They now have to try next season.
Illovo beat Rangers 2-0 to get the promotion as runners-up, making a return to the elite league 15 years after they were relegated. It was otherwise a good start for United in the match and they deservedly got ahead in the 10th minute through Zweli Ndlovu before making it 2-0 early in the second-half. Netting the second goal was secondhalf substitute Buhlebenkhosi Msibi after he was brilliantly teed up by the impressive Mpucuko ‘Smoothies’ Dlamini.
MHowever, they could not retain their aggression and allowed the rivals to start playing and create their own chances at goal.
MENACE
Within no time it was 2-1 as Killers found the back of the net a few minutes before the hour mark through Mncedisi Dlamini, who was often a menace when he had the ball on his feet.
Just as the match hit the 90th minute with United thinking they had already sealed their win even though they already knew it was 2-0 for Illovo against Rangers, Killers found the equaliser via the boot of Mlandvo Tsabedze to share the spoils. They will meet again next season as they try out for elite promotion.