PSL promotion/relegation play-off drama set to begin with Citizens still favourites

The Motsepe Foundation Championship encountered an unexpected hurdle when newly crowned champions Durban City were momentarily denied their spot at the summit, due to an ongoing case involving the alleged improper registration of a player earlier in the season.

This matter forced the PSL to delay City's title celebrations, as a guilty verdict would have carried major consequences that could have reshaped the league’s final standings. However, the club was eventually cleared of any wrongdoing and the player in question, Saziso Magawana was confirmed to have been transferred and registered properly.

With that chapter now closed, all attention now turns to the highly anticipated PSL promotional/relegation play-offs, set to start next Wednesday between Casric Stars and Orbit College in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga. 

Here, Obakeng Meletse takes a look at the three clubs involved, which also includes Cape Town City, and assesses their chances heading into the mini-tournament.

Cape Town City

The Cape outfit narrowly missed out on guaranteeing their place in the Betway Premiership on goal difference. 

Reflecting on their inconsistent run in the 2024/25 campaign, they’ll be left ruing the many missed chances, especially after losing more than half of their matches this past season.

The appointment of Diogo Peral, supported by assistants Roger de Sa and Lebogang Manyama, has not delivered the intended turnaround. A side that ended the 2023/24 season in a respectable fifth place, has now found themselves in a desperate battle to avoid losing their top-flight status.

Still, there is reason for optimism. City picked up a valuable four points from their final two matches, which gave them hope all the way to the closing moments of the season. Peral and his team will aim to build on that late surge and carry some momentum into the play-offs.

Their opening match of the mini-tournament is next week Saturday in Cape Town against Stars.

Orbit College

The Rustenburg-based club were massively improved this season. From a ninth-place finish in the 2023/24 campaign, to ending just five points behind eventual champions Durban City, their rise has been impressive.

The College side will be eager to maintain the form that has turned them from mid-table competitors into serious contenders for the title and a place in the top flight. They’ll face a tough test from City and a Stars sides they failed to beat in both encounters this season.

There is very little margin for error, and they’ll know that these chances don’t come around often and this could be their best opportunity in years to secure a place in the Betway Premiership.

Casric Stars

Stars faltered towards the end of the season, with three of their final five fixtures yielding just two points. Despite the dip in form, they still have a golden opportunity to redeem themselves — especially after falling short in the 2022/23 campaign when Cape Town Spurs got promoted.

After having purchased the top-flight status of former PSL side Free State Stars, they have remained one of the most consistent outfits in the first division. This season offers them yet another shot at promotion, and they’ll be eager to showcase their potential on the highest stage if they can seize the moment.