Bartlett's CT Spurs suffer third consecutive defeat as tough PSL return continues

After making their comeback to South Africa's premier football league, Cape Town Spurs experienced a tough blow, facing their third consecutive loss in the DStv Premiership.

The latest setback came on Saturday at a sunny Peter Mokaba Stadium as they fell 3-1 to Polokwane City courtesy of an Oswin Appollis brace and a solitary Douglas Mapfumo, propelling Rise and Shine to secure back-to-back victories.

The three points sees the 2022/23 Motsepe Foundation Championship winners climb to third place on the league standings, while Shaun Bartlett's Spurs charges continue to sink further, now anchored to the bottom in 16th place.

After a five-year hiatus, Spurs made a triumphant comeback to top-flight football, guided by Bartlett in engineering Cape side's ascent from the lower division.

However, the journey has been far from smooth.

Friday, 18 August

SuperSport United 1-0 Cape Town City - MATCH REPORTRoyal AM 1-3 Stellenbosch FC - MATCH REPORT

Saturday, 19 August

Polokwane City 3-1 Cape Town SpursAmaZulu 0-0 Richards Bay Chippa United v Mamelodi Sundowns – 20:00

Sunday, 20 August

TS Galaxy v Kaizer Chiefs - 15:00

In the inaugural weekend of the 2023/24 season, they faced a setback with a narrow 1-0 defeat against TS Galaxy. Their challenges compounded as they then succumbed 2-0 to Sekhukhune United.

Regrettably, their goal difference now stands at a staggering -5 after just three games played.

Spurs' first goal of the campaign came against Polokwane courtesy of Khaya Mfecane. He latched onto a parried shot inside the opposition penalty box, and subsequently picked his spot in the back of the net.

Dispelling their three-game scoring drought emerged as the lone beacon of optimism for Bartlett to embrace, while his team now sets its