Leopards now closer to reaching the PSL

BLACK Leopards’ ambitions to be promoted to the Premier Soccer League (PSL) came closer to realisation on Sunday when they beat FC Cape Town 2-1, thanks to Brian Amidu’s strike and an own goal by Siphiwe Gwala.

However, Lidoda Duvha will have to beat fellow play-offs aspirant Jomo Cosmos to secure the lucrative PSL promotion/relegation play-offs.

Leopards and Cosmos will meet at the Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa on Sunday afternoon.

The win over FC Cape Town has put Lidoda Duvha in third place with 47 points from 29 matches.

They are tied on points with Milano United who have a lesser goal difference.

Both Leopards and Milano trail second-placed Baroka FC whose 5-3 win over Vasco da Gama on Sunday put them two points ahead of the pack.

Cosmos, who needed a last-gasp winner to beat Maluti FET 2-1 are lying fourth with just a point adrift of Leopards and Milano.

Lidoda Duvha head coach, Kosta Papic has vowed that the team will play like it is a cup final to qualify for the play-offs.

“We have worked very hard this season and we will fight until the very last minute. We wanted an outright promotion, but now we need to accomplish our mission through the play-offs,” Papic said.

Lidoda Duvha, who endured a three match losing streak before edging FC Cape Town will look to regain their first round performance, which once saw them beat the Jomo Sono-coached club 2-1 in a match which was played at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Cosmos has failed to secure a win in their last two home fixtures, playing to a 1-1 draw against Sivutsa Stars and Vasco da Gama respectively.

If Leopards share the spoils with Ezenkosi, they will hope for dropped points by Milano, against National First Division champions, Chippa United.