Cape Town City’s Promotion Playoff Campaign Begins With Frustrating Draw
Cape Town City’s PSL Promotion Playoff campaign got off to a disappointing start as they were held to a 0-0 draw by Stubborn Orbit College at DHL Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Despite dominating the game and creating numerous scoring opportunities, City’s frontline failed to capitalize on their chances, leaving them with a frustrating stalemate.
The visitors started the game on the back foot, but City’s high-intensity pressing paid off as they created several scoring opportunities in the first 15 minutes.
However, their inability to convert these chances into goals proved costly. In the 23rd minute, Haashim Domingo delivered a great pass to Jody Ah Shene, but the latter’s shot was well saved by Orbit College’s goalkeeper, Sekhoane Moerane.
City continued to press for a goal, but their efforts were in vain as the first half ended goalless.
In a bid to strengthen their midfield, City coach Diogo Peral introduced young player Emile Witbooi and veteran midfielder Thulani Serero at the start of the second half.
The introduction of the duo had an immediate impact, as City created several scoring opportunities in the first 10 minutes of the half. Witbooi almost broke the deadlock in the 52nd minute, but his shot from outside the box hit the crossbar.
City made another substitution in the 66th minute, introducing veteran midfielder Fortune Makaringe in a bid to add more creativity to their midfield.
Makaringe’s introduction had an immediate impact, as he created a scoring opportunity alongside Serero just a minute after entering the field.
However, the duo failed to capitalize on the chance. Makaringe got another scoring opportunity in the 80th minute, but his shot from outside the box was poor and went over the crossbar.
As the game entered its final minutes, City threw everything at Orbit College’s defense, but the visitors’ goalkeeper Moerane was equal to the task. In the 88th minute, Moerane made a double save to deny City a winning goal.
Despite getting numerous chances, City failed to score, and the game ended 0-0.
The draw means that City are currently second in the log with one point, while Orbit College top the table with two points after playing a 0-0 draw midweek against Casric Stars.
City’s next game will be against Casric Stars on Wednesday, which will be their last home game in the playoff campaign.
Orbit College, on the other hand, will play their next game against Casric Stars at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Saturday.
The pressure is on City to make amends and secure a win in their next game.
