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IOL News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Casric Stars a tough nut to crack for Cape Town City in PSL playoffs
Cape Town City goalkeeper Darren Keet may have his hands full in keeping Casric Stars at bay. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix CASRIC Stars will hope that their good home record stands them in good stead as they seek to gain promotion to the Premiership via the promotional playoffs. Engaged in a three-way battle with Cape Town City and Orbit College to play in the country's elite league in the upcoming season, Stars are keen to finally come right, having failed in the previous campaign. They have the chance to do exactly that in the next two matches which they will play in their own backyard in KwaMhlanga's Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in Mpumalanga. After the two opening matches of the playoffs ended goalless, all three clubs on a point each. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Stars can secure promotion by winning this afternoon against City (3pm kick-off) and on Saturday. They host City today, and then will welcome Orbit whom they held goalless away in Rustenburg in the playoffs opener. No doubt the team that finished third in the Motsepe Foundation Championship will believe they can get the better of the Citizens. After all, Stars have shown to be a tough nut to crack in front of their supporters as they lost just three times at home in the normal season. They have won eight times, and that record seems to suggest City are going to have to work hard to get something out of their trip up country. In City, they host an elite league side that is going through some kind of turmoil, the Citizens having had a nightmare of a season to finish second bottom in the Premiership ahead of Royal AM, who could not play the entire season due to their battle with the South African Revenue Services (SARS). Just this week, following their goalless draw against Orbit in a match they hosted, City lost their prospective coach in Andries Ulderink, who was meant to lead them next season. The Dutchman was at the club's match against Orbit, but has since left to take up a role as a member of the Bayer Leverkusen technical team under the leadership of Erik ten Hag. A final session before travelling to Mpumalanga 💪🌍 — Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) June 17, 2025 Stars would have watched City struggling against Orbit, and will no doubt have spotted chinks in the elite league team's armoury to take advantage of. Yet to score a goal in the playoffs inclusive of from their campaign last season, the Mpumalanga outfit have been working hard at being sharper in the final third. They might not have scored against Orbit in the opening match, but they do make some inroads into the danger zone. In their own backyard this afternoon, they will be confident of testing the highly experienced Darren Keet between the City goalposts. Kermit Erasmus is going to have to show off his vast experience to help Stars shine. Should they beat City today, and then win when Orbit come to visit, Stars will enjoy in unassailable lead atop the table with seven points. City could then catch them by winning at Orbit and then beating Stars in Cape Town – a tall ask. We are looking too far ahead, though, for the immediate focus should be on this afternoon's match, which will hopefully produce a goal and a winner given the goalless stalemate dished out in the initial two matches. No doubt Casric Stars are really keen on making home-ground advantage to count as they seek to upgrade to playing football at the elite level of the Premiership.
IOL News
05-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Five key players who could rescue Cape Town City's Premiership status
Cape Town City and Stellenbosch FC The stakes in the derby between Cape Town City and Stellenbosch never have been higher than it will be on Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Once riding high in the Premiership, Cape Town City now find themselves navigating unfamiliar waters. The rhythm that led them to an impressive fifth-place finish in the 2023/24 season has faltered, replaced by uncertainty and a battle for survival. Now, in a make-or-break scenario, they must overcome two determined NFD Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) sides—Casric Stars and Orbit College—to secure their place in the Betway Premiership. This is uncharted territory for the Citizens, a club that has consistently finished within the top eight since the 2014/15 season, when they ended the campaign in 10th place. One of their finest moments came in the 2021/22 season, when they proudly claimed second place behind Mamelodi Sundowns. However, their fortunes have since taken a troubling turn. A run of poor results, compounded by a series of coaching changes—including the exits of Eric Tinkler and Muhsin Ertugral—has left the team in a vulnerable position. With their top-flight status hanging by a thread, a decisive performance in the upcoming playoffs is essential. Here, Obakeng Meletse looks at five key players who could prove crucial in Cape Town City's fight for survival. Darren Keet Darren Keet of Bidvest Wits collects the high ball during the 2016 MTN 8 semi-final second leg football match between Cape Town City FC and Bidvest Wits at Cape Town Stadium. Photo: Chris Ricco Darren Keet of Bidvest Wits collects the high ball during the 2016 MTN 8 semi-final second leg football match between Cape Town City FC and Bidvest Wits at Cape Town Stadium. Photo: Chris Ricco Image: Chris Ricco The 35-year-old is experienced both locally and internationally, and with his side now facing a situation this current crop of players hasn't truly encountered before, his leadership in marshalling the defense and guiding the team to make as few mistakes as possible will be crucial in overcoming the challenge posed by both Motsepe Foundation Championship sides. The Citizens conceded 31 goals this past season, and many of their difficulties stemmed from an inability to keep clean sheets. The experienced campaigner will need to ensure that, in the upcoming matches, the team concedes as few goals as possible — a factor that could ultimately make the difference. Thulani Serero Former Bafana Bafana and Ajax Amsterdam midfielder Thulani Serero has returned to the Mother City after a decade playing abroad. Image: Cape Town City Formerly with Ajax Cape Town before moving to the parent club Ajax Amsterdam, the now 35-year-old is a seasoned campaigner who is well-traveled and well-poised to handle the pressure that comes with being in a do-or-die situation. Serero has yet to make the kind of impact he would have hoped for since returning to South African football, but the upcoming play-offs present a perfect opportunity for him to remind everyone why he is regarded as one of the finest midfielders this country has ever produced. Jaedin Rhodes Vuyo Letlapa of Sekhukhune United is challenged by Jaedin Rhodes of Cape Town City during their Betway Premiership enncounter at Cape Town Stadium on Sunday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backjpagepix The talented 22-year-old midfielder played a key role in helping the Cape Town side find much-needed momentum in the closing stages of the season. His creativity could be exactly what the club needs to overcome the unfamiliar hurdle they currently face. Darwin Gonzalez Darwin Gonzalez Cape Town City striker Darwin Gonzalez will pose a danger against Richards Bay. Photo: PHANDO JIKELO Independent Media Image: PHANDO JIKELO Independent Media González was one of the standout performers this season, with his eye for goal proving pivotal despite the team struggling for consistent results throughout the campaign. With four goals scored this season, including two strikes against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, González could hold the key to unlocking another season for his side in the top flight. Haashim Domingo Haashim Domingo Cape Town City's Haashim Domingo battles away against Stellenbosch FC in the local derby at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix
