Orbit College has seized control of the PSL Relegation/Promotion Playoffs, moving to the top of the mini-league table after securing a vital 1-0 victory over Casric Stars at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Saturday.
This win marks a significant stride for Orbit College as they push for a place in the top flight of South African football.
The decisive moment came in the 80th minute when Siyabulela Mabele capitalized on a defensive error by Casric, calmly slotting home the all-important goal.
This solitary strike proved enough to secure Orbit College their first win of the playoffs, propelling them to five points after three matches. Casric Stars and Premiership side Cape Town City are now level on two points each, making the final two fixtures even more thrilling.
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Ahead of this match, all three previous playoff encounters had ended in draws, highlighting the fiercely contested nature of this mini-league.
Orbit College themselves had played out two goalless draws in their prior matches – first against Cape Town City last Saturday, and their initial meeting with Casric Stars on June 11th in Rustenburg also ended in a stalemate.
Meanwhile, Cape Town City played to a 1-1 draw with Casric Stars midweek at the same Mpumalanga venue.
With Saturday’s result, Orbit College now sits atop the standings, putting them in a strong position. Nevertheless, the promotion spot is still very much up for grabs, with two crucial matches remaining:
Wednesday, June 26: Orbit College will host Cape Town City in Rustenburg. This match is a must-win for Cape Town City if they hope to retain their Betway Premiership status.
Saturday, June 29: Casric Stars will travel to Cape Town to face Cape Town City.
Should Cape Town City manage to beat Orbit College away from home on Wednesday and then defeat Casric Stars at home on Saturday, they will successfully avoid relegation and maintain their Betway Premiership status.
That being said, Orbit College’s recent victory has certainly put them in the driver’s seat, making the upcoming fixtures unmissable. The intensity and determination displayed by all teams so far suggest that the ultimate outcome of these playoffs will likely go down to the wire.