PSL

Cape Town Spurs, Casric Stars & Polokwane City: The last day of NFD's promotion battle

Michael Madyira
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Cape Town Spurs, April 2023
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The battle to play PSL football is set for a photo finish with three teams still with a chance of grabbing the big ticket

The 2022/23 National First Division campaign will end on Sunday with some exciting fixtures on the cards.

The top three teams are separated by just two points in this battle to earn a place in the Premier Soccer League.

GOAL takes you through what's in the offing on Sunday.

Editors' Picks

  1. Eyes fixed only at the top
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    Eyes fixed only at the top

    It is an unusual end to the NFD season as all the attention is on teams vying for promotion.

    With Tshakuha Tsha Madzvivhandila and Black Leopards already relegated with two games to go, there isn't a battle to stay safe any more.

    That places all the attention on the teams seeking top-flight status.

    In most seasons, teams at both ends of the table go into the final day of the campaign desperate for either promotion or avoiding relegation.

    But it is a different case on this NFD last day.

  2. Cape Town Spurs in the driving seat
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    Cape Town Spurs in the driving seat

    Log leaders Cape Town Spurs will have themselves to blame if they don't get promoted.

    Shaun Bartlett's youthful side is on top of the log with 56 points and one point ahead of second-placed Casric Stars and will host University of Pretoria at Athlone Stadium.

    They come up against Tuks who are placed ninth on the log and are hoping to finish the season in the top eight.

    With University of Pretoria not as pressed for victory, it is a favourable situation for Spurs, who would not have wanted to play against a desperate team.

    Bartlett will be pinning his hopes on Orlando Pirates loanee Boitumelo Radiopane, reported Chiefs target Ashley Cupido and veteran defender Clayton Daniels to rise where it matters the most and deliver.

  4. Casric in toughest battle
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    Casric in toughest battle

    Of the three teams seeking to play PSL football next season, second-placed Casric have what looks like the toughest fixture.

    One point behind Spurs, they visit All Stars FC at Tsakane Stadium.

    All Stars are fourth on the table and not long ago, they were in the race for promotion.

    This is a team known for giving Orlando Pirates a tough time in the Nedbank up Round of 32 and Casric know they are up against no pushovers.

  5. Polokwane in bid to ghost in
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    Polokwane in bid to ghost in

    Polokwane City last played PSL football in the 2019/20 season and are keen for a return to the big boys' league.

    The Limpopo outfit has two points fewer than log leaders Spurs while sitting third on the table.

    Rise and Shine will welcome eighth-placed Pretoria Callies at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium and their Tshwane opponents have little to play for, which is an advantage to City.

    But Duncan Lechesa's City do not have fate in their hands and if they win, they will have to hope the two sides above them drop points in their respective matches.

  7. Another promotion avenue
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    Another promotion avenue

    All will not be lost if two teams bidding for PSL promotion fail to go to the top-flight league automatically.

    Teams that finish second and third in this NFD race will still have a chance to play PSL football via the promotion play-offs.

    They will meet a team that finishes 15th on the PSL table in a round-robin mini-tournament.