Cape Town City Relegated, Orbit College Promoted
Cape Town City has unfortunately lost its PSL status after losing 1-0 to Orbit College in the PSL Relegation and Promotion Playoffs at Olympia Park Stadium on Wednesday.
City needed to either win or draw the match in Rustenburg heading into their final mini-league game at home on Saturday against Casric Stars. However, they were unable to secure any points, suffering a defeat instead.
This result means Orbit College has clinched promotion to the Betway Premiership, having accumulated eight points from four matches. This puts them six points clear of both Cape Town City and Casric Stars. City and Stars will now play their final match on Monday in Cape Town, which will serve as a mere formality.
A Look Back at City’s PSL Journey
City, which acquired the PSL status of Mpumalanga Black Aces ahead of the 2016, enjoyed a successful run in the top flight. During their stay, they notably won the Carling Knockout and the MTN8 trophies. They also qualified for the CAF Champions League after finishing second in the league, and the CAF Confederation Cup by finishing third.
Match Details and Defensive Struggles
Though chances were few and far between in the first half in Rustenburg, Orbit College struck the first decisive blow to City’s hopes. In the 49th minute, former City striker Letsie Koapeng connected with a cross from Gomolelo Khoto to score. Koapeng had played for City between January 2017 and May 2018, and was part of the squad that lost the MTN8 final to SuperSport United in Durban during Benni McCarthy’s first season with the club.
City’s poor performance this season, winning only seven matches in the Betway Premiership, led to their 15th-place finish and entry into the playoffs. Their struggles continued into the playoffs, where they have managed to score just one goal in three matches so far.
They posed little threat to Orbit College, who were buoyed by their vociferous home fans. Coach Diogo Peral and his assistant Roger de Sa appeared dejected on the bench, seemingly out of ideas.
Despite their difficulties, City almost found an equalizer in the dying minutes when Thami Mkhize’s header from close range went just over the bar. But that was their last real chance. With the final whistle, Orbit College secured promotion, and City was relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
