PSL Playoffs: All level through two rounds after Casric Stars equalize late against Cape Town City

Photo: Cape Town City FC

South Africa's Premier Soccer League (PSL) promotion/relegation playoffs have now reached the halfway point with all three clubs level on two points following Wednesday's 1-1 draw between Casric Stars and Cape Town City.

Hosts Casric Stars, the third place finishers in the second tier Motsepe Foundation Championship, gave Cape Town City plenty of trouble but were fortunate in the end to claw a point of the Betway Premiership side. A dominant opening three minutes saw Casric Stars create two excellent opportunities but Citizens goalkeeper Darren Keet did brilliantly to deny the upstarts from Mpumalanga Province.

But despite the hot start from the hosts, football can be cruel and it was City who snatched the lead against the run of play in the 26th minute when Namibia national team attacker Prins Tijueza snuck in to fire home after a free kick was nodded into his path.

Down at halftime, Casric Stars proceeded to lay siege to the Cape Town City penalty area but former Bafana Bafana keeper Keet and his defense formed a wall that somehow kept the hosts from finding the goal.

However, Casric Stars did not leave empty-handed and a penalty kick was awarded deep into second half stoppage time. Keet got a hand to Sphamandla Mlilo's spot kick but it was not enough to keep the ball from going into the goal.

With the top team securing top flight status for next season, there is now no more margin for error with two games remaining for each team. The playoffs resume on Saturday when Casric Stars host fellow second tier side Orbit College.

Playoff Table after two rounds

	Points
Cape Town City	2
Casric Stars	2
Orbit College	2

• The top team after four rounds will participate in the 2025-26 Betway Premiership.