Football fraternity welcome Leopards back to PSL

Cape Town - Polokwane City chairperson Johnny Mogaladi has welcomed the return of neighbours Black Leopards to the Absa Premiership after they were recently promoted via the playoffs.

WATCH: Leopards fans celebrate top-flight return

Following a five-year absence from the South African top flight, Leopards won a return with a 1-0 victory over Jomo Cosmos on Wednesday. It was a result that saw Platinum Stars get relegated while Ezenkosi also missed out.

Stars join Ajax Cape Town in suffering the dreaded drop to the National First Division for the 2018/19 campaign. Limpopo now has three teams in the PSL with local rivals Baroka making up the numbers.

As such, Mogaladi paid tribute to the promoted team, saying: "We would like to congratulate Black Leopards Football Club for gaining promotion to the ABSA Premiership League.

"It's been a long road for them after been relegated five seasons ago. Lidoda Duvha has always been in the play-offs but failed to gain promotion but with the massive support today they made it.

"The love of people of Venda and football has finally paid off for Mr. Thidiela; players and their technical team lead by Joel Masutha.

"Today Black Leopards made history for Limpopo Province - we now have three teams in the Absa Premiership.

"It must be mentioned that we couldn't do it without the support from the Premier Stan Mathabatha; MEC of Sports Ms. Onnica Moloi; Polokwane Municipality; Limpopo Tourism Agency and all the beautiful people of Limpopo.

"What a great time for our people, they will witness tri-derby games in the province.

"We hope all of us, including Baroka FC and Black Leopards, stay/play in the province for the betterment of our people. Let's stay in the Absa Premiership and win trophies for the province.

"Welcome to the big league Lidoda Duvha."

Fellow top-flight clubs and players also welcomed Leopards back to the Absa Premiership:

? Congrats and Welcome @lidodaduvha #AbsaPrem ??

?? #Limpopo3PSL
?? #KuzobaLit
?? #NoEasy9Points

??#HashaMulilo?? pic.twitter.com/AvGJN6cIAN

— #RiseAndShine (@polokwane_city) May 30, 2018

Welcome to PSL @BlackLeopardsFC #Jobwelldone

— Baroka Football Club (@Baroka_FC) May 30, 2018

The Thohoyandou supporters of Black Leopards deserves a BIG congratulations for their unreserved support towards the team?????????????????? ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????‍????‍????‍????‍????‍????‍??

— Marks Maponyane (@MarksMaponyane) May 30, 2018

So packed miss those games can't wait to play in such a crowd congratulations to black leopards #toughtrip #kasifootball pic.twitter.com/dxpKXhA9tf

— Thulani Hlatshwayo (@Thulani_Tyson03) May 30, 2018