CT Spurs within striking distance of tier-one status

Cape Town Spurs midfielder Michael Morton says they need to win both their remaining games in the PSL promotion/relegation playoffs to ensure they get promotion to the DStv Premiership.

So far, the Cape Town side have won their two games to take over top spot with six points, followed by Maritzburg United with three points and Casric Stars in third, with zero.

Spurs take on Casric Stars in their third game of the minileague today (Athlone Stadium, 3pm) and play their final game away at Maritzburg next week.

Shaun Bartlett’s side are within striking distance of tierone football, a goal they have been chasing all season.

Morton, who played in the playoffs last season with All Stars, says trying to get promotion in the postseason is hard.

“This playoff thing is not easy. Winning the first two games is good but we possibly have to win all four if we want to win the playoffs.

“Tomorrow doesn’t guarantee anything yet, so it’s a tough business these playoffs,” Morton told the Sowetan yesterday.

“From the day I signed and most guys signed, we’ve had singular focus; the only thing we’ve said is we have to get promoted.

“We wanted to win the league and get direct promotion but that didn’t happen, so the focus has shifted slightly to the playoffs. That common theme of winning to get promotion has not changed.”

Morton and veterans Nazeer Allie and Clayton Daniels have been the backbone of the Spurs’ charge for promotion.

They demonstrated their importance in their 1-0 win over Maritzburg where Morton scored the winning goal.

“The NFD is a different beast. Some guys have spent a number of years in the NFD more than us and that experience helps as well.

“In the game against Maritzburg, Nazeer was absolutely unreal and Clayton also; I don’t know if it’s the experience of big-match temperament from these guys in the big moments.

“It showed in the game, hopefully it can show in the next one,” he said.

Promotion playoff fixtures: Wednesday: Cape Town Spurs v Casric Stars, Athlone Stadium, 3pm

Saturday: Casric Stars v Maritzburg United, Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, 3pm Wednesday June 14: Maritzburg United v Cape Town Spurs, Harry Gwala Stadium, 7.30pm.