Black Leopards v Bay United – Saturday 18th June- Seshego Stadium (19:00)
Black Leopards - Robert Ngambi
With the South African PSL done and dusted, the National First Division Play-Offs is the main focus. These two are vying for a spot to compete amongst the elite. This contest will be decided over two-legs, with the 1st leg being played on Wednesday.
Black Leopards beat Vasco da Gama 3-1 in the Promotion Play-offs semi-final second leg match in Cape Town on Saturday afternoon, to relegate them to the National First Division after just one season in the top-flight. Vasco were the first to score when their captain Keenen Lesch scored with a header in the 20th minute from a Josephy Kamwendo’s cross. Leopards found the equaliser nine minutes later when Edgar Manaka completed the good work displayed by Captain Mongezi Bobe with a cool finish to make it 1-1. The Limpopo side went ahead four minutes into the second half with Bobe turning the provider again to set up striker Rodney Ramagalela who made no mistake and put Leopards in the driving seat. Any chance of Vasco staging a late comeback to turn things around was crushed in the 85th minute when Ramagalela netted his second of the match to send Leopards to the Play-offs Final. Black Leopards have been a common figure and the PSL and manager Vladislav Heric will be looking to cement that all important spot.
Bay United booked their place in the Promotion Playoffs final against Black Leopards after beating Thanda Royal Zulu 4-1 at Gelvandale Stadium on Saturday night. United went to halftime leading 2-1 after coming from behind to take the lead through goals from Phumelele Bhengu, who is on loan from Moroka Swallows, and former Mpumalanga Black Aces striker Brice Aka. Thanda had taken the lead in the 18th minute after goalkeeper Modiri Marumo failed to deal with Sipho Made’s long-range freekick. Bay United just seem to want it more as they looked poor and lacked creativity in the goalless 1st leg. Manager David Bright knows that his team is literally one step away from rubbing shoulders with the “big guns” of SA football. Bay United finished top in the Coastal stream and the manager will be looking for the same effort and determination to cap off a highly successful season.
Both teams are in fine form as they have come off impressive victories and will be putting their bodies on the line to get the victory. Black Leopards look the best bet to get the all important victory.
