CT City eye winning start against Orbit

Cape Town City will be looking to start their PSL promotion/relegation playoffs campaign with a win over Orbit College at the DHL Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.

Kick-off is at 3pm CAT.

CURRENT FORM

The Citizens find themselves in the playoffs after finishing in the 15th spot in the Betway Premiership and they are now set to battle to retain their status in the South African top-flight.

City are coming into the playoffs undefeated in their last two matches, having secured a victory over Polokwane City before wrapping up their elite league campaign with a draw against Stellenbosch FC.

Meanwhile, Orbit began their playoffs campaign with a 0-0 draw against Casric Stars on 11 June, as they failed to capitalise on their home ground advantage at the Olympia Park in Rustenburg.

Therefore, Mswenko Boys are enjoying an eight-match unbeaten run, including Motsepe Foundation Championship games, having registered five victories and three draws coming into their clash with Cape Town City.

WHAT WAS SAID?

Cape Town City coach Diogo Peral

"We're planning for the play-offs, watching the opposition we'll be coming up against and we've already travelled to watch some of their games, so the planning is well on the way already," Peral said.

"It is what it is, and if we start with all the theories and negatives, it's not going to help us in the next game, the only thing we can do is what's in our hands, which is forget about all that and prepare as well as possible and put it all out there, and the rest takes care of itself."

Orbit College coach Pogiso Makhoye

"We (Cape Town City) don't know them, they don't know us. So the difference between us and the Betway Premiership is that they give you space. But here we knew each other (Orbit College and Casric Stars). We don't give you space [in the Motsepe Foundation Championship], every man is fighting for little space," Makhoye said.

"So, we will give a good account of ourselves when we go to Cape Town. We respect them, but in the field of play it will be 11 v 11. I think if we can correct some of the things we did today [against Casric Stars], especially converting our chances, we will stand a chance against them (City)."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Darwin Gonzalez, Cape Town City: The Venezuelan attacker was the Citizens' main source of goals in the recent Betway Premiership season, as he netted four goals and he will carry their hopes of overcoming Orbit.

Siyabulela Mabele, Orbit College: The Orlando Pirates loanee was Mswenko Boys' top scorer in the Motsepe Foundation Championship with 10 goals and he will be determined to inspire his side to a win in Cape Town.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

This will be the first-ever meeting between Cape Town City and Orbit College.