THE return of Mpumalanga Black Aces to the PSL will help develop soccer and boost the economy of the province, said former Bafana Bafana midfielder Dumisa Ngobe yesterday.

AmaZayoni returned to the top-flight division after playing to a goalless draw against Chippa United in their National First Division (NFD) promotional play-off game at Cape Town Stadium on Wednesday night. "It's wonderful for Mpumalanga to have a club in the Absa Premiership again," Ngobe said.

"They worked hard and deserve to be back in the PSL with a game still to play (a final play-off match against Santos at Themba Senamela Stadium tomorrow)," he said.

"The big challenge now is for them to decide where they will be playing because Themba Senamela will be too small for their campaign in the PSL. They need to have a base here in Mpumalanga because they have been getting great support during their campaign in the NFD."

The former Orlando Pirates man said having Aces back in the PSL will also boost the economy of the province.

"Our small business people will benefit by selling various products like food, soft drinks and fruits. Security guards and cashiers will get temporary jobs on the day of the matches.

"We need to support the club by going to the games," said Ngobe, a businessman in the electrical appliance industry who also played in Turkey.

Ngobe's sentiments were echoed by another soccer legend from Mpumalanga, Henry Mhlongo. "It's great to have Aces back in the PSL. Aces are one of the oldest clubs in South Africa and we missed them in professional soccer," he said.