Cape Town City under pressure ahead of high-stakes promotional playoffs

Cape Town City head into the PSL Promotional Playoffs facing one of the most challenging moments in their recent history. 

After a disappointing season, the Cape side now stands on the verge of losing their Betway Premiership status, unless they can produce a strong showing in the upcoming playoffs, their drop to the NFD Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) could mark a major step backwards after ten consistent seasons in the top flight.

Having failed to secure a top-eight finish for the first time in the last decade, City now have just four matches to rescue their Premiership position. If they fall short during this decisive phase, it would undo years of stability and success where they had become a fixture in the top half of the table.

The playoff action gets underway on Wednesday, with Orbit College hosting Casric Stars at Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg (15:00 kick-off).

City will be in a position to scout their opponents, as they are scheduled to play their opening match later—at home against Orbit College at Cape Town Stadium.That scheduling gives them the slight advantage of watching the other two contenders in action before joining the fray themselves.

On paper, the Citizens enter the playoffs as favourites as their squad possesses greater depth, more top-flight experience, and superior quality compared to the College side and Stars, who have spent their seasons competing in the second tier. 

But that theoretical advantage counts for little if they fail to mentally reset and perform when it matters. Their poor run of form over the past season is what brought them into this precarious position and with everything on the line there is little choice but to deliver. 

Their opening opponents, however, are full of belief and hunger. The Rustenburg based outfit  are making their debut in the promotional playoffs after a strong MFC campaign in which they finished second. 

They are relishing the chance to test themselves at a higher level and view this opportunity as a valuable learning experience—but are also embracing the idea of causing an upset.

“Cape Town City knows what is at stake, so we will just go there and enjoy ourselves,” said Orbit coach Pogiso Makhoye. “If we win, it's fine, and if we don’t, we will have gained experience.”

“It’s our first time in the promotional playoffs. We’re here to learn, but if we can win it, it will be a bonus for us,” Makhoye continued.

“We wanted to be here and that motivated us. Everything has changed because it's our first time playing at this level.”

Reflecting on their growth, he added: “This season we could at least compare to the last one, and we knew what we had to do better. 

“We’ll treat every game as it comes, and if we can get positive results in the first two games—especially the first one—it will set the tone for the rest.”

For City, the pressure could not be greater. The coming fixtures represent their final chance to preserve Premiership football—and avoid an outcome that would feel like a major injustice, given their record in recent years.