TheSportsCampus

Roses United have been promoted to the National First Division following a tension-filled 1-1 draw against Baroka FC that saw them finish top of Group A of the 2012 Vodacom League National play-offs at the old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Friday, 6 July 2012.

In Sunday's (8 July) Grand Finale to determine the 2012 Vodacom League champions, Free State's Roses United will meet Milano United from the Western Cape, who also qualified for promotion after winning Group B.

Baroka, playing in front of a passionate home crowd, needed to win to overturn a two point disadvantage going into the match, but they fell behind to a 19th minute Patrick Ngidi goal, as Roses looked to snuff out any chance of blowing their golden opportunity.

Roses had a chance to further entrench their strong position early in the second half when Baroka goalkeeper, Veli Mothwa, felled Ngidi in the box. Mothwa redeemed himself by saving Ngidi's spot-kick to keep Baroka's hopes alive.

Buoyed on by the vociferous home support, Baroka poured forward in search of the two goals they needed but time and again they were repelled by the brilliance of Roses' goalkeeper, William Mothokoa, who produced a number of outstanding saves.

The pressure eventually told eight minutes from time, when Archie Lekgele handled inside the box and Olaleng Shaku despatched the penalty past Mothokoa. A frantic ending saw a number of close shaves but Roses somehow managed to hold on until the final whistle.