Latest news with #OscarineMasuluke
IOL News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Final-day drama: Premiership battles set for decisive Saturday showdowns
Oscarine Masuluke Stellenbosch currently hold the crucial third-place spot in the Premiership. Here, Stellies goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke celebrates. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix As the Premiership gears up for a spectacular Saturday with six matches kicking off simultaneously at 3pm, the schedule is brimming with intense rivalries and the potential for unexpected twists. The teams will be vying for crucial points that could shape their seasons. Each club brings its own narrative, and the outcomes have the potential to reshape the Premiership log on a day that marks the final matches for 12 teams. Four other teams – Orlando Pirates, Magesi FC, Golden Arrows, and SuperSport United – each have one outstanding fixture following Saturday's round. Every goal scored and every point earned will matter more than ever, with several positions potentially being decided on goal difference as the PSL season reaches its climax. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Sekhukhune United coach Eric Tinkler. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix CAF Confederation Cup ticket A gripping showdown is set as Stellenbosch FC and Sekhukhune United battle for a coveted place in next season's CAF Confederation Cup. With just one match remaining, the stakes could not be higher. Stellenbosch currently sit third, holding a slender one-point lead. Their route to continental football is straightforward: a victory in their derby clash against Cape Town City on Saturday would seal qualification, securing a second consecutive appearance on the African stage. However, if they draw or lose, the door opens for Sekhukhune, who will be looking to take full advantage with a win at Lamontville Golden Arrows in Durban. Should Stellenbosch lose and Sekhukhune draw, goal difference will determine who earns the final Confederation Cup ticket in what has become a tightly contested race. No holds barred in Top 8 scramble The race for the final MTN8 spots is heating up, with a frantic fight to fill the remaining three positions. Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, Stellenbosch, Sekhukhune and TS Galaxy (who, like Sundowns, have completed their league campaign with 28 games) have already secured their berths in this prestigious tournament. AmaZulu, in sixth with 34 points, appear safe thanks to their superior goal difference, giving them a comfortable cushion. That leaves six clubs in a fierce struggle to claim the final two slots: Polokwane City (33 points), Kaizer Chiefs (31), Chippa United (31 from 28 games), Marumo Gallants (31), Richards Bay (30) and Magesi (29). Polokwane could secure their spot even with a draw or loss against Chiefs. For the others, victory is essential if they are to secure a place in next season's Top 8 – setting the stage for a nail-biting finale. One more to go. But before we close the chapter, let's rewind to Jaedin's goal last time out 🔥 Let's finish strong 💪 — Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) May 22, 2025 Promotion-relegation play-offs awash with uncertainty Following Royal AM's expulsion, no club faces automatic relegation, but the team finishing 15th will enter the PSL promotion-relegation playoffs against two First Division sides. The battle to avoid this fate is tight, with three teams still at risk: Lamontville Golden Arrows (26 games, 27 points), SuperSport United (26 games, 26 points) and Cape Town City (27 games, 26 points). If City lose to Stellenbosch on Saturday, they will be consigned to the play-offs – unless SuperSport fail to win either of their two remaining fixtures. Should both clubs end on 26 points, goal difference will determine who drops into the playoff zone. Arrows are best positioned to escape danger, but back-to-back defeats – against Sekhukhune and SuperSport – could see them slide into trouble. After Saturday's action, the final picture will come into focus when Arrows and SuperSport replay their abandoned February fixture, wrapping up what has been a turbulent and unpredictable season.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Stellenbosch FC bank on reserve keeper Oscarine Masuluke for Confed Cup tilt
Oscarine Masuluke Oscarine Masuluke was in goal for Stellenbosch FC in the first-leg CAF Confederations Cup semifinal in Zanzibar. Stellenbosch FC have been dealt a significant setback in their pursuit of a top-three finish in the Betway Premiership after first-choice goalkeeper Sage Stephens has been ruled out for the remainder of the season due to a calf injury. The bad news comes as the Winelands outfit intensify its chase for another tilt at the African club competition next season. The 32-year-old sustained the injury during the on-field warm-up for the second leg of the CAF Confederation Cup quarter-final against Zamalek last month. Despite the setback, he played in the match in Cairo and kept a clean sheet in Stellenbosch's 1-0 victory, which secured their historic progression to the semi-finals. Since then, Stephens' understudy Oscarine Masuluke has stepped in between the posts, featuring in the team's last five matches, three of which have ended in league victories against AmaZulu, Chippa United, and Golden Arrows. This season, Masuluke has kept four clean sheets in five league matches. In December 2016, Masuluke was famously nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award for 'Goal of the Year' after his stunning overhead bicycle kick for Baroka FC was the match-winning goal against Orlando Pirates. He was also in goal for both legs of the semi-final tie against Tanzania's Simba SC, where Stellies bowed out 1-0 on aggregate. Stellenbosch coach Steve Barker has made no secret of his desire for the club to return to the CAF Confederation Cup, but currently trails Sekhukhune by one point, with a game in hand. With three matches remaining, Stellenbosch hold their destiny in their hands. Maximum points would seal third spot, but a tough run-in awaits: starting with a trip to champions Mamelodi Sundowns on Sunday, followed by clashes with relegation-threatened SuperSport United and Mother City derby rivals Cape Town City. As the season nears its conclusion, Stellenbosch is poised to push through obstacles, and fans will be hoping that the remaining matches will see them overcome the odds and secure a place amongst Africa's elite once more. This season has brought unexpected twists for Stellenbosch FC, but with a promising squad and fierce determination, the battle for a top-three finish continues unabated. Meanwhile, Sundowns have one hand on the coveted Premiership trophy following a commanding 3-0 victory over Chippa United at Loftus Stadium on Wednesday evening. Sundowns have now amassed 64 points, leaving them only four points shy of claiming their record-extending 18th league title. The Tshwane giants show no signs of slowing down as their relentless march toward glory continues. The three points secured against Chippa maintained their impressive unbeaten home record. Three points against Chippa mean Sundowns could lift the trophy as early as this weekend, provided they defeat Stellenbosch FC. While Orlando Pirates remain mathematically in the hunt, they trail significantly on points, and must win all their remaining games and hope Sundowns lose at least twice, an almost impossible scenario.
IOL News
30-04-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Who will rule the African jungle when Stellies host Simba FC in clash of the 'Lions' at Moses Mabhida?
Oscarine Masuluke was in goal for Stellenbosch FC in the first-leg CAF Confederations Cup semifinal in Zanzibar. Picture: BackpagePix Stellenbosch FC goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke believes the second-leg CAF Confederation Cup semifinal against Simba FC on Sunday will be a clash of the 'Lions'. The two sides went head-to-head in the first-leg in Zanzibar last weekend with Stellies going down 1-0. The Tanzanian side now head to Durban with a crucial advantage, but Masuluke feels Stellies will be highly motivated to reach a first-ever continental final. 'The game was good, but unfortunately, we lost. But we still have a chance when they come to our home,' Masuluke said. Stellenbosch won't unfortunately play in the Western Cape due to the Danie Craven Stadium not meeting CAF's eligibility requirements, while the DHL Stadium in Cape Town Stadium is also unavailable due to the conflicting rugby fixture between the Stormers and Benetton on Saturday.
