Swazi Observer

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BENEVOLENT ‘RUBBER’ RESCUES BULL

By MELUSI MLOTSA | 2024-11-14

SOCCER - REVEALED!
Former Mbabane Highlanders managing director Bheki ‘Rubber’ Simelane's passion in football was rekindled after coming to the rescue of the team as it meanders through difficult times.

This comes after the infighting in the club saw a certain clique calling for the stepping down of Managing Director Chief Ally Kgomongwe.

As a result, the team has been experiencing serious problems on and off the field. Amid the problems, latest reports indicate that ‘Rubber’ has offered a helping hand.

Insiders in the club revealed that the businessman had already spent an undisclosed amount as he recently paid rent on behalf of the players who stay outside the clubhouse, purchased 20 soccer balls and hired transport to matches.

Simelane also purchased the Nike kit at Clear Out Sports Wear, ahead of the Young Buffaloes encounter after learning that the team could not access its kits. The new Puma kit, branded Phibs with warm-up kits they donned during the Mbabane derby on Sunday, was also purchased by him in South Africa.

This publication has it in good authority that the businessman also purchased the Innocent ‘Ten Ten’ Ginindza’s portrait, which the players displayed before the game as a sign of paying tribute to the fallen hero. Mandla Simelane, the younger brother to ‘Rubber’, was first reluctant to confirm that they were lending a helping hand in the club. He, however, later confirmed the assistance.

“Yes, it’s true that Bheki Simelane has been helping the team. “We want to state it clearly that he is not a director, but is helping as a legend of the club.

“He was touched about the situation and as a football-loving person; he saw it fit to help where he can. Above all, he wants to see the current MD Kgomongwe, patrons and supporters sitting on a roundtable and finding a lasting solution,” he said.

‘Rubber’ brought the team back to the Premier League after it was shockingly relegated back in the 2013/14 season. He is now a successful businessman currently based in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Kgomongwe said he had no problem being assisted but was against running the team like an orphanage. “We have our things as a team and to allow people to just come and donate will cause more trouble.

“We need to identify the culprits who are causing this confusion in the team.
“What is happening in the team is just pure hooliganism and criminality,” he said.

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