Mhofu's Black Leopards on prowl for South African PSL spot

Vasco da Gama (1) 1 - 3 (1) Black Leopards

Sunday Marimo led Black Leopards fought back to down Vasco da Gama 3-1 while Bay United thrash Thanda Royal Zulu 4-1 in Port Elizabeth.

Two second-half goals from Rodney Ramagalela kept Black Leopards in the hunt for a place in the PSL next season as they came from behind in the second leg of their playoff against Vasco da Gama.

Vasco's recent PSL experience was expected to give them the edge as they brought their small fan base to this huge home ground with the advantage of an away goal from Wednesday's first-leg 1-1 draw.

However, it was Leopards who enjoyed the most vocal support, and also proved the more creative side.

A touch of farce kicked the entertaining clash into gear.

Keenin Lesch tripped over Khethokwakhe Masuku after fluffing a flick, only to be awarded a particularly liberal free kick.

Lesch looked slightly apologetic as he picked himself up, but provided the direction required to divert Josephy Kamwendo's inswinger inside the far post.

Had Jonathan Armogam picked out Cole Alexander's run on the back of a sweeping move instead of shooting wide, the tie might have been put to bed.

However, from the resulting goal kick, play transferred down to the other end and the match turned.

Mongezi Bobe found himself all alone on the right-hand side of the area, and as the Vasco defence rushed across to correct their ball watching, a casual setup allowed Edgar Manaka to stroke the ball home.

Bobe was again the provider for the game's crucial third goal shortly after halftime, drawing goalkeeper and defender before laying off for Ramagalela to complete the formalities.

Suddenly it was Vasco who needed two goals to stay in the tie, yet a buoyant Ramagalela was making all the running.

Twice Dingane Masanabo was set up by pinpoint crosses, only to be denied by Postnet Omony as Vasco's magnificently-named keeper turned Masanabo's efforts round the back stick.

Leopards coach Sunday Chidzambwa shored up his defence as Vasco pushed forward in the closing stages

But it was Ramagalela who closed out the game in the 85th minute.

As the ball rolled invitingly across the top of the Vasco penalty area, the forward obliged with a rasping drive into the bottom left-hand corner.

Sapa-AFP reports that Bay United also came from behind, thumping Thanda Royal Zulu 4-1 to reach the South African Premiership promotion play-offs final with the overall winners set to become several million dollars richer.

Bay advanced 4-1 overall after a goalless first leg three days ago.

The end-of-season play-offs involve the club finishing second last in the 2010-2011 Premiership and the second, third and fourth best finishers in the two-region second division.

South Africa boasts the richest national football championship on the continent with clubs guaranteed 1.880 million dollars annually from a grant funded by TV rights and there are other revenue-generating opportunities.

The grant alone is 380,000 dollars more than the winners of the long and highly competitive premier continental club competition ' the African Champions League ' pocket.

Slow-starting Bay could have been several goals behind before Sipho Made gave Thanda the lead at cosy but frugal Gelvandale Stadium in the Indian Ocean city.

But woeful Thanda defending allowed Phumelele Bhengu to equalise within two minutes, Ivory Coast-born Brice Aka put Bay ahead before the half-hour mark and there was another goal from Bhengu before Lunga Zondi completed the rout.