As the Betway Premiership draws closer to its climax, the Mother City teams find themselves on distinctly different trajectories, with ramifications that could shape their respective fates.
For Cape Town City, the looming threat of relegation casts a long shadow over their season, while Stellenbosch FC are eyeing a coveted third-place finish — though it now appears to be slipping from their grasp.
City’s journey has been plagued by inconsistency and mounting pressure. Struggling to find rhythm in a challenging campaign, they face the very real possibility of relegation — a fate that seemed unthinkable at the start of the season.
The expulsion of Royal AM from the Premiership has, however, offered City a lifeline in their ongoing battle for survival. As things stand, even if they finish bottom of the 15-team league, they will not face automatic relegation.
Instead, they will enter the PSL promotion/relegation play-offs, set to begin on May 27.
On Saturday, they face Polokwane City, who require at least one win from their remaining two games to secure a season-ending Top 8 finish. City, by contrast, appear likely to remain rooted to the foot of the table, regardless of whether they win their final two matches.
City, after 26 games, have accumulated 23 points. Above them sit Golden Arrows (25 games) and SuperSport United (24 games), both on 26 points. One more win for either Arrows or SuperSport will put them out of reach.
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This week, Kamohelo Mokotjo, the experienced Bafana Bafana international, officially announced his departure from City. He took to Instagram to share his reflections following the end of a difficult season with the club.
The celebrated midfielder, who has enjoyed a noteworthy international career, now finds himself a free agent after making 24 appearances for City.
While City are in action in Polokwane, their neighbours Stellenbosch will host SuperSport United at their Winelands venue at Danie Craven Stadium.
Stellenbosch will be eager to bounce back following a 0-3 defeat to the formidable Mamelodi Sundowns. Yet, with three wins from five matches before that loss, Stellenbosch remain a formidable force.
Currently sitting fourth in the league table with 44 points, Stellies have established themselves as a serious contender this season. Under the astute leadership of coach Steve Barker, their home record stands at five wins, five draws, and three losses.
Barker has refined a tactical approach that prioritises solid defence while enabling swift counter-attacks. SuperSport have experienced a slight upturn in form, making their upcoming clash with Stellenbosch all the more compelling.
Stellenbosch will be determined to keep pushing for a Top 3 finish, while SuperSport United will aim to extend their unbeaten run. The odds favour Stellenbosch to reassert their dominance at home and bounce back from their recent loss — potentially at SuperSport’s expense — by capitalising on their current form and claiming vital points.
With Stellenbosch’s disciplined defensive structure going up against SuperSport’s growing resilience, the match promises to deliver a thrilling spectacle for supporters in the Winelands.
