Papic’s future remains in doubt

Rise and Shine overcame Leopards with a 2-1 scoreline on Sunday at the Giyani Stadium in the final match of the PSL promotional play-offs. Goals from on-loan Platinum Stars man Sipho Njembula and Vukile Mngqibisa put City ahead before Siphelele Ntshangase pulled one back for Lidoda Duvha, but it was too late.

City coach Boebie Solomons, who joined Rise and Shine late last year, said the team have learnt a lot from their maiden season in the top tier and explained that they would be boosting the squad throughout pre-season to transform the team into a formidable Premiership side.

“It was a very exciting experience,” said Solomons, “but tough as well. We managed to overcome the odds and although we had concerns here and there, we still managed to survive and we will be playing in the PSL again next season.

“We have learnt a lot from the experience of the first season and these play-offs – experience I hope the team will take forward into the up-coming season. We hope to keep all the players who played key roles in keeping the team in the PSL.”

Papic, on the other hand, waits to learn his fate after failing to secure promotion for Lidoda Duvha. The coach has been instrumental in transforming the team that have been playing an enterprising brand of football.