CT Spurs have one foot in PSL door after third straight playoff victory

In a rain-drenched battleground at Athlone Stadium, Cape Town Spurs emerged 1-0 victors and with three precious points in their grasp after a fierce clash with the brave Casric Stars.

SEE | PSL Playoffs: Log standings, results and fixtures

Morne Nel scored the lone goal seven minutes after Spurs were brought down to 10-men when Ashley Cupido was shown a dubious red card by referee Michael Mosemeng. 

The win solidifies Spurs' first-place position on the PSL Promotion/Relegation Playoffs log standings.

The Mother City outfit have now played three playoff matches, winning each fixture with a 1-0 scoreline, putting Shaun Bartlett's side on 9 points ahead of Maritzburg (3 points) and Casric (0 points).

The defeat for Casric ends their quest for promotion to the DStv Premiership as they now have one fixture against Maritzburg remaining on Saturday. A draw or loss for Maritzburg will see Spurs secure their promotion to South Africa's top flight.

Fadlu Davids's Team of Choice will have to beat Casric to ensure their fight for promotion can go to the final match against Spurs next Wednesday at the Harry Gwala Stadium.

Maritzburg will have to win all their remaining matches against Casric and Spurs to keep alive their hopes of advancing to the Premiership on goal difference ahead of Bartlett's charges. 

On Wednesday at Athlone, Spurs knew what was at stake, and Bartlett’s charges set the tone with their familiar solid defensive game, which broke into an attacking flare after the match reached 20 minutes.

A timely Chumani Mustaka cross from the right flank found the head of a Casric defender, but his poor clearance met with Therlo Moosa’s acrobatic kick back into the 18th area, with Spurs’ leading goalscorer Cupido getting on the end