Hope pinned on City, Leopards

Robert Netshiunda

mbedzis@nmgroup.co.za

LIMPOPO soccer fans would have loved to have more Limpopo teams in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) play-offs, which would guarantee that the province had at least one club in the PSL next season.

But with Baroka FC out of the picture, fans have pinned all their hopes on Black Leopards and Polokwane City FC to secure their places in the PSL.

Lidoda Duvha have qualified for the play-offs following their 2-0 win over Jomo Cosmos on Sunday, while City FC’s 3-2 loss to SuperSport United, combined with a 3-0 win for Free State Stars against Moroka Swallows, condemned this Polokwane-based club to a dreaded play-off situation.

The two Limpopo teams will be joined by Cape Town’s Milano United FC in the play-offs, who miraculously came from a two-goal deficit to beat champions Chippa United 3-2.

For the past three seasons, no team that finished in position 15 of the PSL log had ever won the play-offs, and Polokwane City will be out to change that, with their first hurdle against United, whom they will lock horns with at the Peter Mokaba Stadium today (Wednesday).

After today’s clash with City FC, the Cape Town side will travel further north to Giyani Stadium for a date with Lidoda Duvha on Sunday.

The winner of the three-team promotion or relegation play-offs, which is played on a home and away basis, will join the newly promoted Chippa United in the PSL.

Leopards spent two seasons in the elite league before they were relegated last season.

City FC on the other hand would like to have another shot in top flight football, while Milano would like to give the Mother City another team in the PSL.