Highlands Park secured the National First Division title with a 5-1 win over the University of Pretoria on the weekend, securing their promotion back to the Absa Premiership at the first time of asking, writes DEAN WORKMAN.

The Lions of the North have swept aside all competition in South Africa’s second division and only needed a draw against AmaTuks to secure the title. Instead, they romped home in emphatic fashion by extending their lead at the top of the table to fifteen points and securing their promotion back to the PSL following their disappointing relegation from South Africa’s top flight the season before.

Owen Da Gama took over in September, five games into the season with the side struggling. Before Da Gama’s arrival, Highlands only had six points and promotion looked a long way off. The former national under-23 coach quickly turned things around for the side by amassing 53 points from 21 matches.

Highlands Park will come back up to the PSL full of confidence, having not lost a single league match under Da Gama ― only suffering defeat in the Nedbank Cup.

Da Gama’s team will, however, remain focused on their four remaining league games as they stand a chance to set a new NFD record of 71 points.

Photo: Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix

Follow Dean Workman on Twitter: @DeanoWorks