Casric Stars rescue late point as playoff pressure mounts

In a high-tempo encounter, it was the visitors who struck first, Namibian international Prins Tjiueza netting the opening goal of the playoffs in the 26th minute. 

Despite Casric’s sustained second-half pressure, they had to wait until deep into stoppage time for a lifeline. 

A late penalty was calmly slotted home by Sphamandla Mlilo to salvage a point for the Mpumalanga outfit. Mthombeni rued missed chances in front of goal.

"Actually I wanted this to be a must win so that it will be easier going forward but now it's a little bit difficult. The nice thing is we scored a goal and now we are all equal. The last two games for both teams are gonna be a little bit difficult for us,” Mthombeni.

“Now we will take this point and go back to the drawing board, correct our mistakes so that whenever there's an opportunity we score."

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With all three teams locked on two points and just three matches remaining, the stakes are higher than ever. 

Only the playoff winners will secure top-flight status next season. 

Mthombeni admits there’s now zero room for error as Casric prepare to host Orbit College,  their fellow Motsepe Foundation Championship rivals, at the same venue on Saturday.

"We will try by all means because we need Saturday's game to be a must win, so that we put ourselves in a better position. Then the results will depend on Orbit's game against Cape Town City, it's gonna be difficult because Orbit is a team that moves the ball around but we are gonna come at them like tigers and try to beat them,” the coach explained.

“We've got a good record against them but we're not gonna take that to our advantage, it's just that when we play at home, we play really well."