Latest news with #NFDMotsepeFoundationChampionship
IOL News
17-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
We want to retain our Premiership status not sell it, says Orbit coach
Letsie Koapeng (left) runs to celebrate with Orbit College coach Pogiso Makhoye after scoring against Cape Town City during the PSL promotion/relegation play-offs last month. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Orbit College head coach Pogiso Makhoye has made it clear that the club's main goal in their debut season in the top flight is to secure their Premiership status by the end of the campaign. Orbit were one of two teams from the NFD Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) to earn promotion to the Premiership. Their journey to the top came through sheer determination, having edged out two tough opponents—Casric Stars and Cape Town City—in the promotion play-offs. Now, with their eyes set on competing at the highest level, Makhoye believes that sticking to what already works is the best approach. #LetsFixSAFootball Image: Independent Media 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 Mswenko Boys clinched the PSL promotion/relegation play-offs at their first attempt after finishing second in the league, five points behind champions Durban City. After ending the 2023/24 season in ninth place, Orbit had set a top-three target for the following campaign—a goal they successfully achieved. As they prepare for life in the Premiership, Makhoye emphasised that their immediate aim is to survive the drop. 'We want to save our status and remain in the Premiership,' Makhoye told Independent Newspapers. The long-serving coach, who has been with the club since its inception, confirmed he will remain in charge. He stated that much of what the team has been doing will stay unchanged despite the promotion. 'Nothing changes; we have beaten a PSL team, and the training will remain the same. We have been running this team professionally since the ABC Motsepe League. 'It's only the league that changes, and we are just happy that we have moved from the NFD to the Premier League. 'Nothing will change; the same players who promoted us will compete in the Premiership. We proved it when we played against Cape Town City. 'We have also played friendly games with Premiership teams—Sekhukhune United, Orlando Pirates, and Mamelodi Sundowns. We will have the same players, coach, technical team, and stadium.' Orbit are currently on a short break following a demanding play-off schedule and are expected to resume training in the coming week. They have already moved swiftly to secure the services of former midfielder Monnapule Saleng on loan from Pirates. The club's promotion marks the return of top-flight football to the North West province for the first time since the relegation of Platinum Stars. Makhoye expressed pride in giving local fans a chance to experience elite football close to home. 'We are used to the feeling of being a professional side in the province,' Makhoye continued. 'At least for the past two years we have known that we are a professional team, so this will not be new to us—even in our thinking. 'It is just about changing the league, but they are all governed by the PSL; we just have to remain humble. 'We want to ensure that we retain our status and remain in the league, as we did in the MFC. 'We will also bring top-flight games to the North West province because many people wanted to see Kaizer Chiefs, Pirates, and Sundowns coming to the province. So we are happy and proud of ourselves.'
IOL News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
From consistency to collapse: Cape Town City's slide into the lower division
Cape Town City's Jaedin Rhodes can't hide his emotions after the club was relegated from the Betway Premiership this past week. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix Cape Town City's first significant collapse in over a decade has come at a heavy cost, as they are now headed for life in the NFD Motsepe Foundation Championship next season after failing to navigate the PSL Promotional Playoffs with a 1-0 loss against Orbit College on Wednesday. The Cape outfit lost what turned into a must-win clash, following Orbit's crucial 1-0 triumph over Casric Stars in their penultimate outing — a result that placed the North West side firmly in command of the mini-league. Despite their determined efforts to keep their Premiership status alive, City never looked like a team that had truly recovered from a troubled 2024/25 campaign. And once Letsie Koapeng slotted in a decisive second-half strike, it sealed their relegation fate and brought an abrupt close to a proud era for a club long known for its reliability and top-flight consistency. 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 ✕ It's a bitter pill to swallow for a team that hadn't missed a Top 8 finish since the 2014/15 season and had regularly pushed into the Top 5. But after navigating years of relative stability, their first truly turbulent season has left them staring at a long road back to the top. Head coach Diego Peral lamented his side's missed opportunities throughout a challenging campaign, as they bowed out with a defeat that confirmed their drop with one match to play against Casric on Saturday. 'We had chances and we didn't score, so this is what happens,' Peral said, in the aftermath. 'It's not the first time this season. It is what it is. What can we do? The chances were there, we had many opportunities to win the game, to take the lead, but we didn't. 'For Saturday's match, we needed that goal — and we just didn't get it. 'It's a horrible situation to be in. We've been here since the start of the season. We had so many chances to fix it, and we didn't. You look at the guys who've been here since day one, and it's sad. 'It is what it is. We have to pick ourselves up and start again.' City's downfall had been building from the outset of the season, as they uncharacteristically stumbled out of the blocks and never truly recovered from their sluggish start — a stark contrast to last season's fifth-place finish.
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
10-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Orbit College and Casric Stars clash in high-stakes PSL promotional playoff
Thabo Nthethe, former Mamelodi Sundowns defender and current assistant coach of Casric Stars, insists the clubs is ready for the PSL promotion/relegation play-offs. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix The eagerly awaited PSL promotion/relegation play-offs are set to begin as Orbit College hosts Casric Stars at Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg on Wednesday (3pm kick-off). A coveted spot in the Betway Premiership will be at stake when both NFD Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) teams rekindle their rivalry. Despite the extended delay before the mini-tournament gets underway, the intensity and significance remain undiminished. Durban City secured promotion to the top flight, and although their celebrations were put on hold due to an ongoing investigation into the registration of former Marumo Gallants midfielder Saziso Magawana, they were on Tuesday officially crowned and began their top-flight journey. In contrast, Cape Town City face the threat of relegation and will be the third side competing to retain their place in the Premiership after a disappointing campaign that left them 15th on the table. 🚨 𝐂𝐎𝐍𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐌𝐄𝐃: 𝐔𝐩𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐏𝐒𝐋 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐥𝐚𝐲-𝐨𝐟𝐟 𝐟𝐢𝐱𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐬 🚨 — Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) June 5, 2025 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 Standing in their way will be the MFC's second-and -third-placed teams, who are eager to deepen their troubles. The first fixture carries significant weight not only for Casric and Orbit but also in shaping momentum for the remainder of the tournament. The Mpumalanga-based outfit's assistant coach, Thabo Nthethe, who has been part of the team since their first season in the first division, spoke enthusiastically ahead of their second shot at top-flight promotion in three seasons. 'I can confidently say that the players are ready,' Nthethe told Independent Newspapers. He also commended the influence of head coach Bucs Mthombeni in preparing the team for the playoffs. 'The appointment of coach Mthombeni has been key. He is one coach who is able to motivate players because sometimes it's not about getting players fit because they already have that, but it's about giving them hope and keeping them motivated, and that is what he has been doing. 'The boys are happy, and they want to do well for the team. Each and every one of them knows that the team wants to get promoted into the Betway Premiership next season, and they are willing to do that.'
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
