Mpumalanga Black Aces management will be meeting this week to plan the way forward in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) after clinching promotion to the promised land of the Absa Premiership on Saturday night.

Aces had a strong tradition of playing in the top flight until they fell on hard times in the 1990s. Aces were reformed in 2007 under the new name of Mpumalanga Black Aces and in two years they have made incredible progress. They were beaten finalists in the 2008 Nedbank Cup losing 1-0 to Mamelodi Sundowns and this season exceeded all expectations by winning promotion to the PSL.

Coach Sammy Troughton deserves a lot of the credit for this stunning upturn in Aces fortunes. He was celebrating his side's 3-0 win in the PSL promotion/relegation playoff final second leg over now relegated PSL side Thanda Royal Zulu at the Chatsworth Stadium on Saturday night.

After a goalless first leg played at the Ackerville Stadium last Week, the dice looked loaded in Thanda's favour. But Aces were hungrier and more determined. They will join National First Division champions Jomo Cosmos in next season's Absa Premiership.

Troughton, the former Sundowns star was still letting his side's success sink in.

Troughton who is out of contract but is keen to stay on and guides Aces in their first season in the PSL said, "It was simply brilliant. The feeling of clinching promotion is like no other I have achieved. The players, the club management were all fantastic. But now we start on a new chapter and need to plan carefully. The last thing we want is to follow other clubs who gained promotion only to suffer relegation at the end of the season."

Troughton is set to meet with club management and hopefully sign a new contract.

"It is not about money," he said " That is not my style. It is about achieving things and I believe I can take this side further.

They are a good bunch of players and showed they deserve to be in the PSL. It is also a tremendous boost for soccer in the Mpumalanga region." Troughton is not a believer in route one soccer. "

"I allow players freedom to express themselves and make decision on the field which has worked and helped us build up a solid foundation on and off the field. It is like a family club. But now the hard work really starts and we are all looking forward to a great challenge next season."

Aces goals were scored by Sejjhaba Mmuso, Lehumo Itshegetseng and Lindokhulu Mbatha.