Black Leopards have another opportunity to battle for promotion to the Absa Premiership. The draw for the promotion and relegation play-offs was conducted at the Premier Soccer League offices on Tuesday morning. Four teams, viz. Black Leopards, Mpumalanga Black Aces, Nathi Lions and African Warriors, will fight for promotion in the make-or-break play-off matches.

Black Leopards were drawn against African Warriors while Black Aces will take on Nathi Lions in the semi-final stage. Both the semi-finals and the finals will be played according to the home-and-away system.

Just like what had happened in their platinum play-off draw against Vasco Da Gama, Leopards will be the first to enjoy the home-ground advantage. They will host African Warriors at the Tshifulanani Stadium next Wednesday, March 17, starting at 15:30. At the same time, Nathi Lions from the KwaZulu Natal Province will host Mpumalanga Black Aces at the Princess Magogo Stadium in Durban.

The Leopard’s coach, Vladislav Heric, was quick to mention that he was happy about the draw as they will be playing against the side against whom they were campaigning in the same stream. Leopards finished first in the Inland Stream of the National First Division while Warriors completed their league programme as runners-up in the same stream.

Nathi Lions finished second in the Coastal Stream, just a point behind Vasco Da Gama. Mpumalanga Black Aces are part of the play-offs after finishing in the 15th spot in the Absa Premiership. The overall winners in the semi-final stages will meet in the two-legged finals.

The second leg for the semi-final round will be played on Wednesday, March 24. The dates and venues for the finals will be announced shortly after the semi-final matches.

Leopards’ Malawian international, Peter Mponda, who was on suspension last weekend will be available for the African Warriors match next Wednesday.