Amazayoni on brink of another PSL dance

MPUMALANGA Black Aces have provisionally secured their return to the Premier Soccer League after a goalless draw with Chippa United in Cape Town last night ensured they finish top of the Promotion/Relegation Playoff table.

A pending legal challenge from Thanda Zulu Royal means all results in the playoffs are yet to be rubber-stamped, but should the KwaZuluNatal side have their case dismissed, and there are no further challenges in the chaotic National First Division, Black Aces will be promoted.

AmaZayoni now lead Chippa by two points on the log, but while they have a game remaining against out-of-the-running Santos on Saturday, the Chilli Boyz’ debut top-flight season has ended in failure.

Chippa coach Mark Harrison said earlier in the week that the match at the Cape Town Stadium would be no classic and he was right.

It was dire stuff until the final 10 minutes when Chippa’s desperation to get the goal they needed to keep their hopes alive saw them pour bodies forward, leaving gaping holes in their defence.

Petrus Ngebo should have given Chippa the lead just before halftime, but put his header from William Twala’s cross against the post with goalkeeper Bafana Nhlapo beaten.

It was the turn of home striker Welcome Qalanto to be wasteful in front of goal 12 minutes into the second period, but his tame

Dennis Masina could have won it for Black Aces when he was put through with 10 minutes remaining, but his effort was blocked by Tashrique Goldman in the home goal.

Black Aces make a return to the top flight for the first time since they finished bottom in the 2010-11 campaign.

It is reward for a side who were frontrunners for much of the National First Division campaign this year, before falling away in the final few weeks and having to secure their promotion the hard way.

effort was

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the goalkeeper.