Cape Town City were denied a vital win in dramatic fashion after conceding a last-gasp penalty to Casric Stars, resulting in a 1-1 draw in their Premier Soccer League promotion playoff clash at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in Mpumalanga on Wednesday.
The Cape side looked set to secure all three points, but in what proved to be virtually the final kick of the game, Casric, through Sphamandla Mlilo, converted from the spot to rescue a point and keep their promotion hopes alive.
For City, the late blow keeps their top-flight survival hanging in the balance.
The draw leaves all three playoff teams – City, Casric, and Orbit College – level on two points apiece, with Casric now preparing to host the Rustenburg outfit on Saturday at the same venue in what could be a decisive clash.
Both teams started cautiously, with the first 25 minutes unfolding in a cagey rhythm.
While Casric had some promising moments, they failed to convert pressure into real chances in a tournament that had yet to see a goal.
That changed shortly afterwards when Prins Tjiueza struck for City in the 26th minute.
The Namibian forward latched onto a smart flick by Thamsanqa Mkhize following a set-piece, calmly sliding the ball past the goalkeeper with his second touch to register the tournament’s opening goal.
The goal brought visible relief to City coach Diogo Peral and his bench. Having struggled to score all season – with just 15 goals in 28 league games – the breakthrough sparked new life into a City side fighting to retain their Premiership status.
Casric, however, refused to fold. Spurred on by a vocal home crowd, they pressed forward with renewed energy in the second half.
Coach Bucs Mthombeni’s substitutions injected much-needed urgency, and Casric began to dictate proceedings.
Decide Chauke was their stand-out performer, constantly testing the City backline. Veteran Cape goalkeeper Darren Keet stood firm, though, making several key saves to protect City’s narrow lead.
But as the visitors sat deeper to defend their advantage, the pressure eventually told.
A late foul in the box gifted Casric a penalty in added time, and Keet could do little to stop the equaliser.
