Cape Town City Out Of The Playoffs After Magesi FC Draw
Cape Town City’s hopes of an immediate return to the Betway Premiership were dashed after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Magesi FC in their final PSL Promotion Playoffs match at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
The Citizens went into the encounter knowing that only a victory would keep their promotion aspirations alive after managing just one win from their previous three playoff matches. However, the draw leaves them third in the mini-league standings with four points, ending their chances of securing a place in next season’s top flight.
Magesi, meanwhile, remain firmly in contention for promotion. Dikwena Tsa Meetse also sit on four points but still have one match remaining, giving them the opportunity to secure a return to the Premiership.
The 2024 Carling Knockout champions will now face Milford in a decisive playoff showdown at Seshego Stadium on Saturday. Magesi must win the match to guarantee promotion.
Milford, on the other hand, require only a draw to seal their place in the Premiership. The KwaZulu-Natal outfit currently tops the standings with six points and is aiming to reach South Africa’s top flight for the first time since the club was founded in 2012.
Cape Town City started brightly and controlled much of the opening half hour. Despite enjoying the bulk of possession and creating several promising opportunities, they struggled to seriously test the Magesi defence.
The visitors gradually worked their way into the contest and nearly took the lead with their first clear chance. However, City goalkeeper Luca Diana-Oliaro came to the rescue with a superb double save to keep the scores level.
The breakthrough finally arrived on the stroke of half-time when Therlo Moosa put the hosts ahead. The forward reacted quickest to a rebound after a save from Magesi goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze and bundled the ball home from close range with his chest to make it 1-0.
Magesi responded almost immediately after the restart, drawing level in the 48th minute. Mcedi Vandala latched onto a perfectly weighted through ball from Sifiso Luthuli before beating both Lorenzo Gordinho and Diana-Oliaro, calmly slotting a left-footed finish into the back of the net.
Cape Town City pushed hard for a winner and came close in the 60th minute when Heaven Sereetsi unleashed a powerful effort from inside the penalty area. Chipezeze was once again equal to the task, producing an excellent save to keep the scores level.
Both teams continued to search for a decisive goal in an entertaining second half, but neither side could find the breakthrough as the defences held firm.
The match ultimately ended 1-1, a result that officially ends Cape Town City’s hopes of returning to the Betway Premiership, while Magesi’s promotion dream remains alive heading into their crucial final playoff clash against Milford.
