Dark day for Bright as Leopards return to premier league

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Monday June 20, 2011 00:00

 

Bright, who won countless titles in Botswana with Mogoditshane Fighters, from 1999 to 2002, had two opportunities to win the Cape Town side promotion to the elite league in the last four weeks.

Just like it happened four years ago, when they were relegated, Bay United also face prospects of being sold to a new owner, according to South African reports. That leaves Bright, and Zebras goalkeeper Modiri Marumo, in an uncomfortable position, as they are not sure where their next bread will come from. First he failed when he was expected to see off Jomo Cosmos in a two-legged decider, as he was defeated in penalty shootouts after his team failed to score home and away despite dominating proceedings. Up went Jomo Cosmos while Bright's side now had to compete in a gruelling four-team knockout, featuring a relegating Premiership side, Vasco Da Gama, second from the inland stream, Black Leopards, as well as second from his coastal stream.

Bright did brush aside his coastal stream opponents, scoring four goals at home as they won 4-1 to book a place in another two-legged decider against Black Leopards. However, after first playing to a goalless draw in Cape Town, the Limpopo side finished the league on top on Saturday, condemning Bright to a 2-0 defeat, and gaining promotion to the ABSA Premiership, at the expense of the Botswana man and his Bay United boys.

After two seasons in limbo, Bay United might now have a re-think and decide if Bright is perhaps that ideal person to take them to glory land. In the second leg against Leopards, a strike in each half ensured Black Leopards return to the Absa Premiership next season after they beat Bay United 2-0 at Tshufulanani Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

After scores were tied at 0-0 in the first leg of the promotion play-off final in Port Elizabeth midweek, the scene was set for Lidoda Duvha (the day will come) to wrap up matters at home in the return leg as they bounced back to top flight football for the first time since being relegated in 2008. Raymond Manama opened the side's account in the 10th minute after being afforded space to fashion a shot on the edge of the box.

Captain and fellow midfielder Mongezi Bobe doubled the margin in the 57th minute with a header from a Tintswalo Tshabalala cross on the left after finding himself unmarked in the box.

Buoyed by a vociferous attendance at the small Vhembe venue, the Limpopo outfit were quick to get off the block by putting the pressure on the tentative visitors. An attempted long range shot from wingback Tshabalala needed to palmed away by the agile Modiri Marumo in the United goal.

Soon Leopards's First Division top scoring striker Rodney Ramagolela came close to doubling the margin by hitting the woodwork twice in the space of five seconds. Both chances were identical headers from crosses on the left flank that rebounded off the woodwork with Marumo beaten.

Though, United were afforded a chance against the run of play when their burly forward Brice Aka managed to turn and fashion a shot that went narrowly wide. With Leopards leading 1-0 at halftime, it was United who started off more sprightly in search of an equaliser that gave them an opportunity of stealing it because of an away goal rule.

Defender Charles Gallagher powered a free-kick 25 metres out that narrowly missed the target in the opening minutes, while midfielder Eddie Ngalo came close from close range a few moments later. Leopards were in cruise control as Ramagalela and midfielder Khethokwakhe Masuku managed misses as both of their opportunities went wide.

After an outstanding display in the latter part of the season that include a Nedbank Cup final appearance and a late surge to claim a second spot in the inland stream, they will be the Limpopo side in the elite league next season.

Spare a thought for United, who were crowned champions of the now discarded coastal stream division, as they will be forced to fight for another season in the new single streamed First Division.

Additional reporting: supersport.com