Cape Town City cling to faint survival hopes ahead of trip to Polokwane as relegation threat intensifies

Cape Town City are holding onto the faintest of hopes to avoid the promotion/relegation playoffs as their Premiership campaign nears its conclusion. 

With the clock ticking and the odds growing longer, the Cape side faces a high-stakes final stretch that could define the club’s immediate future.

City are currently 14th on the table with 23 points from 26 matches. They sit three points behind both Golden Arrows and SuperSport United. 

Crucially, Arrows have a game in hand, while SuperSport, who have struggled for form throughout the season, have played two matches fewer than City.

The mathematical reality leaves City with little room for error and increasingly dependent on other teams dropping points.

Their next fixture – away to Polokwane City on Saturday at 3pm – is effectively a must-win.

Anything less than three points in Limpopo will all but confirm their participation in the end-of-season playoffs, where their top-flight status would be on the line.

Head coach Diogo Peral has acknowledged the precarious situation.

He said the team are determined to fight until the end, but admitted that their destiny is no longer solely in their own hands. 

The coaching staff have continued to emphasise focus and commitment, while also recognising that the psychological pressure has affected performance levels in recent weeks.

City are enduring a 14-match winless streak across all competitions – the longest such run in the club’s history.

With just five wins and 18 goals in 26 league games, the team’s lack of attacking efficiency and defensive resilience has left them vulnerable at a critical stage of the campaign.

Polokwane City, who will host the match at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, present a formidable challenge.

The Limpopo side have occupied a position in the top eight for the majority of the season, and have consistently demonstrated tactical discipline and competitiveness. 

They are likely to approach this fixture with the same ambition, aiming to solidify their strong finish in front of their home support.

Peral has praised his players’ commitment during training sessions, but acknowledged that the pressure of the relegation battle has led to lapses in concentration and confidence on the field.

SuperSport United, despite a season well below their usual standards, remain three points ahead of City with two games in hand.

Their current position puts additional pressure on City, who cannot afford any further setbacks.

With only two fixtures remaining, Cape Town City’s path to survival is narrow and uncertain.

Even if they secure maximum points this weekend, their Premiership status could still hinge on goal difference or results elsewhere.

What began as a season of ambition has descended into a battle for survival.

Unless circumstances shift dramatically, City will find themselves facing the unpredictable and unforgiving nature of the relegation playoffs – a scenario they had hoped to avoid entirely.