Cape Town City were unable to stamp their authority early in the Premier Soccer League promotion playoffs as they were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Orbit College at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
The result means the Rustenburg-based side now tops the mini-league standings with two points after completing two fixtures, while City’s next challenge will be against Casric Stars at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Wednesday.
The Citizens, who ended the Premiership campaign second from bottom, launched their quest to preserve their top-flight status against Orbit, who secured second place in the NFD Motsepe Foundation Championship, with both teams vying for promotion to the Betway Premiership next season.
In the previous season, Richards Bay FC managed to avoid relegation by defeating Baroka FC and the University of Pretoria, and City will be eager to replicate that accomplishment.
However, they must raise their performance level in the mini-league, having only managed seven victories from 28 matches during the recently concluded Betway Premiership season.
It ends all square in Cape Town. With three games to go, there’s still all to play for 🔵#iamCityFC pic.twitter.com/aERPLJr2ZE
— Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) June 14, 2025
They approached the match with some confidence after Orbit and Casric Stars played to a goalless draw on Wednesday, knowing that a strong opening result would have placed them in a commanding position in the playoff standings.
However, with both teams creating little to no opportunities in the first half, the significance of what was at stake became evident as neither side managed to seize control of proceedings.
City’s first notable opportunity came in the 25th minute when Haashim Domingo delivered a precise pass to Jody Lee Ahshene, whose strike forced a solid save from Sekhoane Moerane, preventing the home side from grabbing the lead in a match that began at a slow tempo for both teams.
The visitors emerged stronger after the interval, and following a corner kick from their sustained pressure, they came close inside the box. As the home side faced increasing pressure, tempers flared, highlighted by a heated exchange between Darren Keet and central defender Nathan Fasika, after they narrowly escaped danger when Gomolemo Khoto, who was unmarked, failed to connect with a threatening header.
That near-miss seemed to ignite the hosts, who surged forward and immediately created a chance of their own through the individual brilliance of 16-year-old Emile Witbooi. His curling left-footed attempt had all the makings of a goal but unfortunately struck the crossbar.
As the match edged towards its conclusion, the visitors grew in confidence. Substitute Ayanda Lukhele made a smart run into the penalty area in the 78th minute, but his shot narrowly missed the target, denying Orbit a late breakthrough.
With the tournament yet to witness its first goal, both teams ultimately had to settle for a share of the spoils in what was a tightly contested and tense encounter.
