Black Leopards’ fans were in an ecstatic mood after their team’s 1-0 victory over Moroka Swallows at the Thohoyandou Stadium last Sunday. Three days later they were in mourning… this after the result for the match between Jomo Cosmos and Moroka Swallows which was to decide whether Lidoda Duvha would be promoted to the Absa Premiership, did not go their way.

Jomo Cosmos beat Swallows 1-0 through a goal that came via Wiseman Maluleke in the 77th minute of their match at the Dobsonville Stadium on Wednesday evening. Black Leopards’ wish was that the match should end in a draw or Moroka Swallows should, win but neither of these happened.

Black Leopards have themselves to blame for their failure to make the grade in the playoffs. Had they converted all their obvious chances against Moroka Swallows last Sunday, they would not have had to wait for the match between Cosmos and Swallows to know their future. Cosmos gained promotion to the elite league by virtue of a better goal difference, as they were tied on seven points with Black Leopards.

Against Swallows, Leopards' leading goal scorer, Ruggert Nyundu, as well as Meshack Maphangule and Leonard Ntshangase missed sitters, before Nyundu scored the goal that earned Lidoda Duvha three points.

Although Moroka Swallows were already relegated to the lower league when they hosted Cosmos on Wednesday, they did not leave anything to chance. They went all out giving the Cosmos midfielders no time to breathe. They were reduced to ten men in the 38th minute when their veteran midfielder, Lerato Chabangu, was given his marching orders following a dangerous tackle on Wiseman Maluleke.

Swallows gave the Leopards some hope by playing attacking football despite all the odds but their hearts were broken when Maluleke beat the Swallows’ keeper with a half volley after a defence splitting pass by Felix Obada. Now Black Leopards must wait for another season to see if they can secure a place in the country’s elite league.