Latest news with #HaashimDomingo
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
PSL promotional playoffs enter a critical phase
Interim Cape Town Ciy coach Diogo Peral has a handful of upcoming matches to save the club's elite status during the PSL promotion/relegation play-offs. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The Premier Soccer League promotional playoffs are hanging in the balance as all three teams have already begun their campaigns in the mini-league. However, none have yet demonstrated the urgency to firmly claim their spot in the top division, with the tournament still goalless after three matches. Cape Town City will next travel to face Casric Stars at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Wednesday (kick-off at 3pm). After a goalless draw at home, City will be under pressure to get their promotion hopes back on track against a Casric team known for their attacking style. With so much at stake for both sides and the coveted place in the Premiership up for grabs, here's a look at five key players who could influence the momentum in their teams' favor. Kermit Erasmus 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. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The former Orlando Pirates striker has already been crucial for the Mpumalanga-based team, helping them finish third last season. His added-time goal against Hungry Lions secured a valuable win that eliminated Black Leopards from contention on the final day, giving Casric a points advantage to qualify third and reach their second playoffs in three years. Erasmus's experience will be vital as the pressure mounts in this mini tournament. He is one of the calm, composed players likely to capitalize on chances and he will be the main threat to City's defense. Decide Chauke Having scored eight goals in 30 appearances during last season's NFD Motsepe Foundation Championship, Casric will rely heavily on Chauke to increase his tally, especially as they play their first home match in this tournament. Known for his smart movement and clinical finishing, Chauke's relentless work rate could force mistakes from a City side desperate for a positive result, potentially swinging the playoffs in their favor. Haashim Domingo FIGHTING: CT City's Haashim Domingo Image: BackpagePix The former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder possesses the skill to break down any defense. Despite a quiet season with his team struggling for results, he still has an opportunity to turn things around and guide his side to victory on Wednesday. City struggled to find the final pass to unlock Orbit College's defense on Saturday, and with one of the country's finest technical players in Domingo, the crunch tournament could just be the time for him to show why he was highly rated by some of the top clubs in the continent Darren Keet Darren Keet hopes to revive his career at Cape Town City. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix Image: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix While goals are crucial, the presence of experienced goalkeeper Darren Keet remains vital to keeping the Cape side's defense solid because avoiding conceding goals is just as important as scoring them at the other end. Many players have yet to shoulder responsibility during the league and this playoff campaign. After a heated confrontation with Nathan Fasika on Saturday, City will need the same intensity and leadership from Keet for the remaining matches and use that to kickstart their campaign and quest to save their place in the top flight. Emile Witbooi
IOL News
08-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Cape Town City under pressure ahead of high-stakes promotional playoffs
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 Cape Town City head into the PSL Promotional Playoffs facing one of the most challenging moments in their recent history. After a disappointing season, the Cape side now stands on the verge of losing their Betway Premiership status, unless they can produce a strong showing in the upcoming playoffs, their drop to the NFD Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) could mark a major step backwards after ten consistent seasons in the top flight. Having failed to secure a top-eight finish for the first time in the last decade, City now have just four matches to rescue their Premiership position. If they fall short during this decisive phase, it would undo years of stability and success where they had become a fixture in the top half of the table. The playoff action gets underway on Wednesday, with Orbit College hosting Casric Stars at Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg (15:00 kick-off). 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. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading City will be in a position to scout their opponents, as they are scheduled to play their opening match later—at home against Orbit College at Cape Town scheduling gives them the slight advantage of watching the other two contenders in action before joining the fray themselves. On paper, the Citizens enter the playoffs as favourites as their squad possesses greater depth, more top-flight experience, and superior quality compared to the College side and Stars, who have spent their seasons competing in the second tier. But that theoretical advantage counts for little if they fail to mentally reset and perform when it matters. Their poor run of form over the past season is what brought them into this precarious position and with everything on the line there is little choice but to deliver. Their opening opponents, however, are full of belief and hunger. The Rustenburg based outfit are making their debut in the promotional playoffs after a strong MFC campaign in which they finished second. They are relishing the chance to test themselves at a higher level and view this opportunity as a valuable learning experience—but are also embracing the idea of causing an upset. 'Cape Town City knows what is at stake, so we will just go there and enjoy ourselves,' said Orbit coach Pogiso Makhoye. 'If we win, it's fine, and if we don't, we will have gained experience.' 'It's our first time in the promotional playoffs. We're here to learn, but if we can win it, it will be a bonus for us,' Makhoye continued. 'We wanted to be here and that motivated us. Everything has changed because it's our first time playing at this level.' 🚨 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐃: 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐒𝐋 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲-𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐟𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 🚨 — Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) June 5, 2025
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Cape Town City's PSL status still in balance after Stellenbosch FC derby draw
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 Cape Town City's Premiership fate is no longer in their hands. They have run their race and finished on 27 points – one point above the relegation zone. But instead of celebrating after their goalless draw with Stellenbosch FC in the Western Cape derby at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon, they will have to wait until the SuperSport United and Golden Arrows replay 45 minutes – effectively one half – of their abandoned clash due to loadshedding back in February. SuperSport United are a point behind City on 26 points after losing 2-0 to Richards Bay, but still have their get-out-of-jail card available after the PSL's ruling last week. Stellenbosch, meanwhile, have secured third place after Arrows beat Sekhukhune United 3-2, to ensure Steve Barker's team will compete in the CAF Confederation Cup again next season. Stellies reach the semi-finals of the continental competition in their first effort this season. City may yet rue not taking advantage of a host of opportunities in the Cape derby, with Gabriel Amato creating an early chance with a right-footed volley skimming the Stellenbosch crossbar. The Citizens' desperation was evident as they continued to pour forward in search of a much-needed goal. 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. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Experienced midfielder Thulani Serero also found space on the edge of the box, rifling in a shot that forced a double save from Oscarine Masuluke. Central defender Lorenzo Gordinho also had an opportunity immediately after the halftime break when his glancing header nestled into the bread basket of the Stellies goalkeeper. But with City foraging forward, they also left themselves exposed at the back, and against a team with the quality that Stellenbosch possess, they were fortunate not to be punished. Stellies weathered the storm and began creating opportunities of their own, with striker Ashley Cupido working his way down the right touchline before sending in a good cross that found Andre de Jongh unmarked.
IOL News
24-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Cape Town City's PSL status still in the balance after derby stalemate with Stellenbosch FC
Cape Town City's Haashim Domingo battles away against Stellenbosch FC in the Western Cape derby at DHL Stadium on Saturday. Picture: BackpagePix Cape Town City's Betway Premiership fate is no longer in their hands. They have run their race and finished on 27 points - one point above the relegation zone. But instead of celebrating after their goalless draw with Stellenbosch FC in the Western Cape derby at the DHL Stadium on Saturday afternoon, they will have to wait until the SuperSport United and Golden Arrows replay 45 minutes - effectively one half - of their abandoned clash due to loadshedding back in February. SuperSport United are a point behind City on 26 points after losing 2-0 Richard Bay, but still have their get out of jail card available after the PSL's ruling last week. Stellenbosch, meanwhile, have secured third place after Arrows beat Sekhukhune United 3-2, to ensure Steve Barker's team will compete in the CAF Confederations Cup again next season. Stellies reach the semifinals of the continental competition in their first effort this season. City may yet rue not taking advantage of a host of opportunities in the Cape derby with Gabriel Amato creating an early chance with a right-footed volley skimming the Stellenbosch crossbar. The Citizens' desperation was evident as they continued to pour forward in search of a much-needed goal. Experienced midfielder Thulani Serero also found space on the edge of the box, rifling in a shot that forced a double save from Oscar Masululeke. Central defender Gordinho also had an opportunity immediately after the halftime break when his glancing header nestled into the bread basket of the Stellies goalkeeper. But with City foraging forward, they also left themselves exposed at the back, and against a team with the quality that Stellenbosch possess, they were fortunate not to be punished. Stellies weathered the storm and began creating opportunities of their own with striker Ashley Cupido working his way down the right touchline before sending in a good cross that found Andre de Jongh unmarked. The New Zealander headed powerfully in the direction of the City goal, but Darren Keet, who was playing in his 100th match, palmed the ball to safety. Stellenbosch particularly went on the offensive shortly before halftime when Sanele Barnes, Devon Titus and Fawaaz Basadien called Keet into action to make a flurry of saves to keep City's hopes of staying in the Betway Premiership alive. While City will be sitting on tenterhooks awaiting the conclusion of the Arrows-SuperSport United clash that will hopefully be scheduled for this week, Stellenbosch FC can look back at another hugely fulfilling season where they competed valiantly on all fronts. Barker's men reached a first-ever MTN8 final, enjoyed a brilliant CAF Confederation Cup adventure that ran all the way to the semifinals and secured third place in the Betway Premiership yet again.
