Cape Town City Secures Spot in PSL Playoffs

CAPE Town City will have the chance to return to the Premiership right after spending one season in the NFD.

After being relegated to the first division last season following their loss in the PSL promotion/relegation playoffs, the Kaapse span now has the opportunity to promote themselves through the same route in the upcoming weeks.

Coach Jan Vreman’s City finished second in the NFD on Sunday with 54 points, trailing behind the already promoted Kruger United.

They secured their playoff spot by trouncing Leicesterford City (formerly JDR Stars) 4-2 away at Dobsonville Stadium in Johannesburg.

Joining them in the playoffs will be Milford, who ended their last campaign with a 0-0 draw against Hungry Lions, also finishing on 54 points.

City’s path was not without some anxiety. Although they took an early lead in the match, they allowed their opponents to equalize twice, concluding the first half at 2-2.

However, second-half goals from Jaedin Rhodes and Emile Witbooi, who scored a brace, secured the victory and the opportunity to contend for a prized top-flight position.

The question now is which current Premiership club they will face. With just one matchday left in the top flight, last season’s promoted Orbit College sits in 15th place.

They will be up against would-be champions Orlando Pirates on Saturday and could face automatic relegation if they lose and 16th-placed Magesi achieves a comfortable win over Richards Bay.

Marumo Gallants may also be at risk of relegation if the results do not go their way, while Chippa United has not yet escaped the playoff spot, but they are safe from automatic relegation.

Meanwhile, Black Leopards and Baroka FC finished the season as the lowest-ranked teams in the NFD and have been relegated to the ABC Motsepe League.