VASCO da Gama gained promotion to the Absa Premiership after beating Black Leopards 2-1 in the second leg of their promotion playoff at Parow Park Stadium in Cape Town yesterday.

VASCO da Gama gained promotion to the Absa Premiership after beating Black Leopards 2-1 in the second leg of their promotion playoff at Parow Park Stadium in Cape Town yesterday.

The sides drew 1-1 in the first leg in Thohoyandou last week.

As early as the second minute the home side's Jonathan Armogam saw his close-range shot parried by Leopards goalkeeper Vusimuzi Gwanya. Armogam then fluffed a great scoring opportunity when he dithered with the ball and was closed down after receiving a pass from Roberto do Espirito Santo in the 16th minute. In the 23rd minute, Vasco's keeper Postnet Omony dived full length to save a powerful shot from Walter Ramulondi.

The home side took the lead in the 30th minute through Bradley August's header from a corner taken by Michelin Kanika Matondo.

But Vasco's joy was short-lived, when the lads from Thohoyandou levelled matters a minute later through Lungu Grant. In the 36th minute the visitors took the game to Vasco and were unlucky when Omony just managed to keep out Ramulondi's 30m drive.

In the second half the home side came out strongly, forcing Leopards to defend in numbers.

The hosts made a double substitution in the 55th minute, replacing August with Geoffrey Sserunkuma and Armogam with Brian Kgafane.

This move saw Carlos dos Neves' charges increasing the pressure as their opponents ran out of ideas.

Vasco were awarded a penalty in the 81st minute by referee Daniel Bennett after Sserunkuma was brought down in the box by Robert N'gambi. Keenan Lesch put his side ahead.

Vasco won 3-2 on aggregate.