Black Leopards have narrowly escaped an outright relegation to the lower division, but all is not over yet. They still have a mountain to climb in order to retain their Absa Premiership League status.

The Thohoyandou outfit rose to the occasion and beat Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 last Sunday, but the victory was only good enough to save them from automatic relegation. They are now preparing themselves for the make-or-break promotional play-offs, which will be staged on dates still to be announced.

Leopards finished their league programme in the second-last position. Jomo Cosmos, who managed to win only two of their league matches in the season, are relegated to the lower division. Cosmos lost 0-1 to Thanda Royal Zulu in their final league match that was played at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammersdale.

If their performance against Kaizer Chiefs is anything to go by, Lidoda Duvha will retain their elite league status, no matter what comes their way in the promotional play-offs. Leopards finished their league programme with 29 points, two behind the third-placed Thanda Royal Zulu.

Leopards will meet teams like Dynamos, Bay United, Maritzburg United and Winnerspark in the promotional play-offs. Dynamos obtained the second place in the Inland Stream of the Mvela Golden League. They are likely to be crowned the champions if FC AK lose their appeal. Supersport United were crowned the 2007/8 season champions last Sunday, despite losing 1-2 to Bloemfontein Celtic.

Ajax Cape Town are the runners-up while the defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, finished the season in the fifth spot. The assistant coach for Leopards, Joel Masutha, said that they are fully prepared for the playoffs and that nothing will stand in their way to retain their status.