Black Leopards must win to keep promotion hopes alive

Roggert Nyundu challenged by Vukile Mngqibisa of AmaZulu during the National First Division 2016/17 match between AmaZulu and Black Leopards at Princess Magogo Stadium, KwaMashu South Africa on 28 August 2016 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

by Graeme Jackson

Monday Jun 12, 2017. 08:30

Black Leopards must defeat Stellenbosch in the penultimate PSL Playoff match, set for Wednesday evening at the Athlone Stadium, if they are to keep alive their hopes of promotion.

Baroka FC have dominated the three-team tournament thus far and opened up a five-point lead over second-placed Stellenbosch with a 2-0 win at the Peter Mokaba Stadium this past weekend.

The result saw Bakgaga move to seven points - a total only Leopards can match, and only if they win their remaining two matches. It would then come down to goal difference to decide which of the two Limpopo teams is promoted.

Both Leopards and Stellies are licking their wounds after losses away to Baroka last week, though at least the former can take solace from goalkeeper Rotshidzwa Muleka recovering from his injury.

The Lidoda Duvha goal-minder had a nasty collision with Sipho Moeti of Baroka last midweek, but could be available for the clash in Cape Town.

For Stellenbosch and coach Sammy Troughton, the challenge will be to find the motivation to end their season on a high even though they are mathematically out of the running for promotion.

The teams played to a goalless draw in Thohoyandou when they met in the second match of the Playoffs on June 3, while Stellies defeated Leopards in both of the teams’ NFD league matches through the 2016/17 campaign.