Cape Town Spurs started with a 1-0 win over Casric Stars as the first game of the PSL Promotional Playoffs kicked off at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga on Sunday afternoon.
The playoffs kicked off with this match between the two Motsepe Foundation Championship qualifiers, with the home team having finished third, while Spurs finished second. Both teams drew their final league games, which saw Polokwane City come from third to pip them to the title and automatic promotion.
With the MFC U23 restrictions now no longer in play, it was interesting to note that Casric only had one U23 in their starting line-up, while Spurs, renowned for their development, started with six.
It was a tentative start to the game for both teams and while there were a few half-chances, neither of the goalkeepers were really tested in the opening 25 minutes. Casric were particularly trying to test Lincoln Vyver and the Spurs’ defence, with a number of long throws attempted into the box.
The MFC’s top scorer Ashley Cupido had a glorious opportunity to open the scoring for the visitors in the 26th minute but despite finding himself unmarked, he was unable to steer his header from Nazeer Allie’s cross on target.
Thabang Rakwena tried a long-range effort in the 36th minute, but it flew just over Vyver’s goal.
When the half-time whistle blew, the score remained goalless.
It was another good chance for Cupido in the 55th minute, but this time it was an excellent save from Kgomotso Baloyi to deny the Spurs’ forward.
But Cupido finally got his goal, as headed in at the far post, to make it 1-0 to Spurs in the 67th minute.
Unfortunately for Spurs, Boitumelo Radiopane had to go off injured at the same time, and his participation in the rest of the playoffs looks now at risk.
Five minutes later, Casric had a great opportunity to equalise, but Pogiso Mabote’s effort was deflected behind.
Baloyi was needed again in the 84th minute, as he made a good save to deny Morne Nel from distance. Substitute Therlo Moosa went narrowly wide three minutes later.
It should have been 2-0 in the 88th minute, but Chumani Butsaka, another substitute, hit the woodwork after being one-on-one with Baloyi.
When the final whistle blew, it was Spurs who picked up a big three points on the road in the first game of the playoffs.
The round-robin playoffs will continue on Wednesday evening, when Maritzburg United, who finished 15th in the DStv Premiership, host Casric at the Harry Gwala Stadium.
