Amazayoni get one last chance to stay up

Category: Sport

Date Added: 10 March 2010

MAZOLA MOLEFE

RELEGATION-threatened Mpuma langa Black Aces will get another shot at Premier Soccer League survival next Wednesday in the first leg of the promotion play-offs.

Aces, who survived the automatic drop at the weekend, when they drew against Ajax Cape Town, were pitted against Nathi Lions in one of the two promotion eliminators next week.

African Warriors will face Black Leopards on Wednesday in the first leg of their play-off.

The second-leg matches have been scheduled for March 24, with venues for all four matches still to be decided.

Aces finished 15th on the PSL table and barely missed going down to the first division, while Jomo Cosmos were not so fortunate.

Aces’ opponents, Lions, came second behind winners and PSL newcomers Vasco da Gama in the first division’s coastal stream.

Warriors will be hoping to deny Leopards another run in the elite league after they clinched the inland stream title.

The winners of the two streams faced-off last Sunday, with Vasco winning promotion to the PSL on a 3-2 aggregate over two legs.

Sapa reports that Nathi Lions coach Professor Ngubane said his side would have a psychological edge over Aces.

Ngubane said while the draw was tough, his Durban based team had a slight advantage.

“My goal this season was not to win the stream. I planned for the play offs and achieved that goal,” said Ngubane.

“But I do not believe Aces want to be playing us or anyone else in the play-offs.

“They have had a tough season in the PSL and their heads must be down knowing they face two cup finals against us. So that gives us an advantage when we meet them.”

Ngubane, one of the most skilful players this country has ever produced, has plenty of coaching experience at this level.

He saved Umtata Bush Bucks from relegation to the first division a couple of seasons back and has also coached Maritzburg United, Thanda Royal Zulu, Leopards and now defunct African Wanderers.

Ngubane said Lions would not be offering any bonuses to their players to win the play-offs.

“Winning promotion to the PSL should be enough reward for any young player worth his salt.”

Aces chief executive Marc Grune dismissed claims that his players would not be up for the challenge, but did admit it would be a psychological battle.

“We know what we have to do. We are not down at the prospect of having to play Lions and then going into the two-legged final to retain our PSL status,” he said.

“Play-offs are unpredictable, but we will be ready and focused. We have improved a lot since our new coach Ari Agiomamitis took over in December.

“We collected six points in the final Premiership run-in and that saved us going straight back to the first division. We have a chance to fight for our PSL lives and we intend to take it.”

Leopards spokesman Steven Ellerpy said his players had learnt from losing against Vasco.

“We did not play well enough in either leg of the final, but now we have another chance and know where we need to improve,” said Ellerpy.

“Our goal is the PSL and I believe we have the talent and ability to achieve that goal.”

Warriors coach Ashwin Sutton was happy to be playing Leopards.

“We have played Leopards three times this season and know what to expect. I would rather play a team I know than one that is a closed book to me. It is a good draw for me and we want to repay our fans in Qwa Qwa by winning promotion. This is the first step on that road.”

Source: The Times