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IOL News
26-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Squad imbalance, poor management decisions led to Cape Town City's PSL relegation
Cape Town City owner John Comitis will start preparing for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Photo: BackpagePix Comment by Herman Gibbs Cape Town City FC's stint in the top-flight Premiership came to a catastrophic end following a 1-0 defeat against Orbit College in a PSL promotion/relegation playoff clash on Wednesday. Players were left in shock as disbelief swept through the squad after the final whistle, their dreams of remaining in the Premiership dashed in a match that epitomised their struggles this season. Cape Town City, historically a formidable presence by finishing in the top eight for each of their previous eight seasons, found themselves failing to rise to the occasion when it mattered most. In what is a seismic shift in South African football, the club's catastrophic fall to the First Division marks a spectacular decline for a team that was once a formidable presence in South African football. This season's results contrast starkly with City's notable achievements, such as winning the 2016 Telkom Knockout, the 2018 MTN8, and finishing runners-up in the 2021-22 season behind perennial champions Mamelodi Sundowns. Wednesday's defeat, which resulted from a performance devoid of the necessary grit and determination, has left fans and analysts questioning the heart and character of the squad. With the likes of Thulani Serero, Thabo Nodada, Fortune Makaringe and Lorenzo Gordinho, as well as veteran players such as Darren Keet and Thamsanqa Mkhize, City entered the playoffs with high expectations. However, the weight of pressure was palpable, and when it mattered most, the team failed to step up, lacking the resolve to fight for their survival. 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 ✕ Ad loading In the past few weeks, analysts pointed to the squad's imbalance, exacerbated further by insipid recruitment strategies and poor management decisions throughout the season. Since the departure of Khanyisa Mayo to CR Belouizdad in Algeria, the striker dilemma has plagued the side. Their late-season signing, Amadou Soukouna, failed to make a significant impact at the Citizens. The decision to let go of pivotal players such as Darwin Gonzalez, their highest scorer, proved to be a baffling move that left a gaping hole in an already fragile line-up ahead of the playoffs. City's efforts were further hampered by the departure of key defender Keanu Cupido, who was sold to Sundowns, leaving the team vulnerable at the back. Halfway through the season, the club was thrown into disarray as it grappled with the consequences of managerial decisions. In December, the dismissal of head coach Eric Tinkler initiated a ripple effect that has left the club's future precariously hanging in the balance. In a bid to right the ship, the club appointed the seasoned Muhsin Ertugral, whose extensive experience in South African football was seen as a glimmer of hope. Today it hurts. Tomorrow marks the start of a response that'll define us. Thank you for your support, Citizens. Keep your heads up. We leave with heavy hearts, 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘀 💙#iamCityFC — Cape Town City FC (@CapeTownCityFC) June 25, 2025 Initial successes against heavyweight rivals, including dramatic victories over established teams like Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates, fostered a sense of optimism among fans and board members alike. However, this promising start quickly faded, and results took a downward spiral that would seal the team's fate. Owner John Comitis, a respected figure in South African football administration, must ultimately shoulder the blame. He faced mounting criticism for the decisions he made. In hindsight, he failed to make prudent investments and recruit suitably experienced players. As the club transitions into the Motsepe Foundation Championship next season, the focus will inevitably shift to rebuilding a squad capable of attaining promotion back to the top-flight. This relegation not only marks a significant loss for the club, but also reverberates through the local football community in Cape Town, where the absence of a top-tier squad will leave a noticeable void. Football fans in the Mother City and promising young players face an uncertain future, and the once-celebrated Cape Town City find themselves at a crossroads.
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
PSL veteran midfielder set to hang up his boots
Mbatha has previously been on the books of Mpumalanga Black Aces, Mamelodi Sundowns, Platinum Stars, and Highlands Park. Lindokuhle Mbatha of TS Galaxy FC during the Betway Premiership game against Stellenbosch FC at Mbombela Stadium on 18 February 2025 © Jana Kotze/BackpagePix TS Galaxy veteran winger Lindokuhle Mbatha might have laced up his boots for the last time this season. The 39-year-old is preparing to call time on his playing career. New role for PSL veteran The seasoned campaigner, who turns 40 next month, is expected to transition into a new role within the club, marking the end of his time on the pitch. ALSO READ: Pirates beat Chiefs to midfield signing According to sources close to Phakaaathi, Mbatha informed the club ahead of the 2024/25 season that this would be his final campaign in a playing capacity. He made 12 Betway Premiership appearances for Galaxy with his last league game coming up against Stellenbosch FC in February. The Rockets have reportedly responded by preparing a post-retirement position for him to honour his contribution both on and off the field. Mbatha has previously been on the books of Mpumalanga Black Aces, Mamelodi Sundowns, Platinum Stars, and Highlands Park. Key figure In recent years, he became a key figure at TS Galaxy where spent the last five seasons. His most notable successes came with Platinum Stars, where he lifted both the MTN8 Cup competition and Telkom Knockout. ALSO READ: Pirates midfield signing is a 'done deal' Galaxy have not yet announced his retirement, but Mgosi squad has it on good authority that Mbatha has called time on his illustrious career.
The South African
22-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
PSL GOAT revealed, Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates fans won't argue
Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates have produced some superb PSL footballers. However, the greatest the land has ever seen is a Sundowns icon. Hlompho Kekana was a combative and explosive character on the pitch, but off it, he's as humble as they come. Regarded by his teammates as a model professional and example, he took care of his body and was fit as a fiddle even at the ripe age of 36. His devotion to a healthy diet didn't do him any harm either. The retired midfield general remains popular with journalists, too, having always made himself available for calls and interviews. In the aftermath of Sundowns' tenth ABSA Premiership title win, a triumph that completed a fabled 'La Decima', Kekana was effusive when praising his teammates. Those men fought alongside him to snatch the title on the very final day. Kekana was truly a team-oriented man. Kekana let his football do the talking at Sundowns, collecting a treasure trove of silverware after making the switch from Bloem Celtic in 2011. 8 x Betway Premiership titles 1 x CAF Champions League title 1 x CAF Super Cup 2 x Telkom Knockout titles Hlompho Kekana admits he knew he had 'overstayed his welcome' at Mamelodi Sundowns when his game time became limited. Image: @iDiskiTimes / Twitter Kekana is the most decorated player in the history of South African top-flight football with eight league titles to his name. He was truly one of Pitso Mosimane's most trusted lieutenants in battle. Somewhat surprisingly, Kekana was only capped 21 times by Bafana Bafana but didn't allow that oddity to get in the way of his quest for club glory. It's hard to forget Kekana's match-winning display in the 2015 Telkom Knockout against Kaizer Chiefs at Moses Mabhida Stadium. Amakhosi were denied not once but twice from the penalty spot by the excellent Denis Onyango in goal, first from Siphiwe Tshabalala and then Camaldine Abraw. It would be Kekana who smashed home Sundowns' third from a sublime Themba Zwane backheel to seal a 3-1 win. As was the case on so many occasions throughout his career, Hlompho was on the winning side in a cup final. A year later, Kekana would lift African club football's biggest prize as Sundowns became CAF Champions League kings. Hlompho Kekana was more than a 6. He was also a marauding number 8. Photo: Deryck Foster/BackpagePix Kekana's evolution into a complete midfield player saw him reinvent his style on more than one occasion. Originally a pure defensive midfielder, he moved through the gears as a destructive box-to-box operator, later a classic number 8, and finally, he did a bit of everything on a football pitch with panache and authority. Nothing quite says 'the complete package' like a midfielder who chips in with crucial goals in big games, thunderbolts from range, curling free-kicks and a nomination for the Puskás award in 2016. Only players with massive personalities can pull off an audacious effort from around 60 yards like Kekana did against Cameroon some six years ago, and this man had those qualities and more in abundance. The Guardian called that goal 'Beckham-esque.' On March 4th 2012, Mamelodi Sundowns broke the South African record for most goals scored in a single match when they beat Powerlines FC 24-0 in the Nedbank Cup. Kekana helped himself to seven goals on the day as Sundowns showed no mercy to their amateur opponents. Back when there was a galaxy of Sundowns stars like Zwane, Zungu, Billiat, Modise, Dolly & Tau, Hlompho Kekana was the rock orbiting Lucas 'Masterpieces' Moripe Stadium for almost a decade. Let us know by leaving a comment below or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Also, subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
