Cape Town City find themselves at serious risk of relegation after a second successive draw in the PSL Promotion/Relegation playoffs. Their Thursday visit to Casric Stars finished level at 1-1 due to a late equaliser from the hosts.
Cape Town City started brightly, and Prins Tjiueza broke the deadlock in the 26th minute. It looked for much of the game as if that was how it would end. However, a stoppage time penalty was awarded after Siphamandla Dondolo was adjudged to have fouled Simon Moukete inside the penalty area. Dondolo was attempting to clear his lines after Casric Stars had hit the post.
Sphamandla Mlilo stepped up to the penalty spot and scored, despite the best efforts of City goalkeeper Darren Keet. Heads dropped from the City players and coaches, who suffered yet another disappointment.
Where the Draw Leaves Cape Town City
Halfway through their fixtures, PSL Promotion/Relegation playoffs, City are no safer than when they started. The opening game of the playoffs saw a 0-0 draw between Orbit College and Casric Stars (2.32). This handed City a major opportunity, as both of their rivals dropped points.
However, City then drew 0-0 with Orbit College themselves at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium. The away draw against Casric Stars meant that all three teams in the playoffs were level on two points. Orbit College then took the upper hand with a 1-0 win over Casric Stars.
Only one club out of the three will be in the South African Premiership next season. Durban City have already been promoted after being crowned Motsepe Foundation Championship winners. Usually, the team that finishes bottom of the Premiership goes down to the Championship automatically, and the team second from bottom goes to the playoffs. This, however, was an unusual season as Royal AM saw their Premier Soccer League (PSL) license revoked amid owner Shauwn Mkhize’s tax woes.
Royal AM did not complete the season, which means they were automatically bottom of the Premiership. Cape Town City, who finished 15th out of the 15 teams that completed the season, have thus gone to the playoffs.
The team that is top of the table after everyone in the playoffs has played four games will be in next season’s Premiership. Right now, the upper hand is with Orbit College.
Conclusion: Soul-Searching Needed for City
Even if City do avoid the drop, some serious soul-searching is needed for a club that was once among the most exciting in the country. City arose from the relocation of Mpumalanga Black Aces ahead of the 2016-17 season. In their first Premiership campaign, the Citizens challenged for the title under Eric Tinkler.
However, they have gradually fallen behind the big three of Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates. Furthermore, they have also fallen behind Stellenbosch FC, which has done a better job of providing consistent talent pipelines into the first team.
City has produced some supremely talented soccer players – the latest being Emile Witbooi. However, they do not have a steady enough structure to ensure that when they lose their best players, they are always ready to replace them.
Stellenbosch’s data-driven approach to recruitment and consistent promotion of academy talents has ensured that they have become the Western Cape’s strongest team.
Stellenbosch have stayed consistent in backing Steve Barker, while City have seen a constant revolving door of head coaches.
Regardless of how the Promotion/Relegation Playoffs finish, City need a reset once a season to forget is complete. If soccer betting enthusiasts are to consider them an outfit to take note of, better results are needed.
