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semi-final second leg match at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon, to relegate the Cape side to the National First Division after just one season in top flight football.
Bay United also booked their place in the South African Promotion Playoffs final against Chidzambwa’s Black Leopards after beating Thanda Royal Zulu 4-1 at Gelvandale Stadium on Saturday night.
Vasco finished 15th on the Premier Soccer League standings last season which meant they had to contest in a four-team playoffs to regain their spot in the country’s premier division.
The playoffs involve a two-legged semi-final as well as a final that is also played over two legs, unfortunately for Vasco they fell at the first hurdle to the team they beat in last year’s playoffs to gain promotion.
The Cape side came into the match with a slight advantage after drawing the first leg 1-1 away from home on Wednesday.
Vasco were the first to score when their captain Keenen Lesch scored with a header in the 20th minute from a Joseph Kamwendo’s cross.
Leopards found the equaliser nine minutes later when Edgar Manaka completed the good work displayed by captain Mongezi Bobe with a cool finish to make it 1-1.
The Limpopo side went ahead four minutes into the second half with Bobe turning the provider again to set up striker Rodney Ramagalela who made no mistake and put Leopards in the driving seat.
Any chance of Vasco staging a late comeback to turn things around were crushed in the 85th minute when Ramagalela netted his second of the match to send Leopards to the playoffs final and condemn Vasco to the first division.
Leopards willl face Bay United in the playoffs final where the winner will be promoted to the Premier Soccer League.
United went to half-time leading 2-1 after coming from behind to take the lead through goals from Phumelele Bhengu, who is on loan from Moroka Swallows, and former Mpumalanga Black Aces striker Brice Aka.
Thanda had taken the lead in the 18th minute after goalkeeper Modiri Marumo failed to deal with Sipho Made’s long-range free-kick.
United wrapped up the victory with two more goals in the second half, one from Bengu who completed his brace and the other goal came from substitute Lunga Zondi.
United and Leopards will contest the first leg of Promotion Playoffs final on Wednesday and the second leg will be played on Saturday, where the winner will gain promotion to the Premier Soccer League. – SuperSport.