Leopards clawing back

Draw at Highlands will clinch playoffs spot for the third time in four seasons

In the past four seasons in the National First Division (NFD), Black Leopards have managed to book their spot in the playoffs three times, missing out only in the 2015/16 campaign.

By the look of things, history is about to repeat itself yet again, as Lidoda Duvha now only need one point to throw their name in the three-team round-robin contest. The promotion/relegation competition involves two NFD teams which finished second and third, and a PSL side which with finish 15th in the 16-team premier league.

Leopards however have been unlucky in the playoffs as they never managed to secure promotion via this system in three attempts. In the 2013/14 season, they lost out to Premiership side Polokwane City.

The following season, the Thohoyandoubased side again finished runner-up in the second-tier league, but were outfoxed in the playoffs by Jomo Cosmos, who had finished behind them on the standings.

Just last season, Leopards also clinched second berth behind Thanda Royal Zulu, but in the playoffs top-flight side Baroka reigned supreme as Leopards failed to match Bakgaga in the three-team contest.

Leopards face newly crowned NFD champions Highlands Park in the penultimate round at Makhulong Stadium in Tembisa on Sunday (3pm).

Lidoda Duvha, who are second with 47 points, will confirm their involvement in the playoffs should they avoid a defeat. A point against Highlands would move them to 48, which will guarantee them a top-three finish, owing it to the fact that teams from position four and below cannot equal that tally of points.

On May 6, Lidoda Duvha lock horns with third placed Cosmos (46 points) and will be eager to wrap it up on Sunday against Highlands in Tembisa.