Orbit College and Casric Stars clash in high-stakes PSL promotional playoff
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.
๐จ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐: ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ฅ๐๐ฒ-๐จ๐๐ ๐๐ข๐ฑ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐ฌ ๐จ pic.twitter.com/CSKuFIPdtf โ Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) June 5, 2025
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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.'
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