Magesi FC will target a winning start in the PSL Promotion/Relegation Playoffs campaign when they battle Cape Town City at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 3:00 pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Dikwena Tsa Meetse head into the Promotion/Relegation Playoffs fighting to preserve their Betway Premiership status after finishing 15th in the league, following a vital win over Richards Bay on 23 May.
The win over the Natal Rich Boys on the last day of the Betway Premiership season ended their four-match winless run. This victory allowed Magesi to avoid direct relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship and gave them another chance to save their status.
On the other side, Cape Town City - a former Premiership outfit now battling for promotion from the Motsepe Foundation Championship - got off to a disappointing start in the playoffs.
The Citizens suffered a 1-0 home defeat to Milford FC on 26 May, leaving them at the bottom of the three-team round-robin standings. With only one spot available in the Betway Premiership, City will desperately seek a positive response on the road to keep their promotion dreams alive.
TEAM NEWS
Magesi are set to welcome back Lehlohonolo Mtshali from suspension for the Cape Town City clash, with the Orlando Pirates product, who missed the vital win over Richards Bay, providing a timely boost to coach Allan Freese’s squad.
Meanwhile, Cape Town City, coached by Jan Vreman, may lack depth due to the demands of the playoff schedule, but will rely on their technical midfield and attacking flair to trouble the hosts.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Magesi FC head coach Allan Freese
“We’ve given ourselves another opportunity to stay in the league. We will give it our best. I must be confident to go there and win. Nobody else will give me confidence," Freese said.
"I must be confident and put that confidence into the players to say ‘we can do it’. It’s another challenge against different teams from a different league. We had to win that last game against Bay. We didn’t have any other choice, especially playing at home. We won the game and now we have to prepare for the playoffs.”
Cape Town City head coach Jan Vreman
"Three games more to play. It is a big loss [to Magesi FC], of course. When you are playing at home, you want every time you are playing at home to get the points," Vreman said.
"We didn't get them. There are three games to go, and I think it is still possible. You have to create the chances, if you get them, you have to take them."
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Magesi FC and Cape Town City have faced each other twice across all competitions.
Dikwena Tsa Meetse remain unbeaten against the Citizens, with one win and one draw from their two meetings in the 2024/25 Betway Premiership season.
Their most recent encounter ended in a comfortable 2-0 victory for Magesi at the Seshego Stadium on 8 February 2025.