Cape Town City held to goalless draw in NFD opener | OneFootball

City begin life in the second tier with a goalless draw

Photo: Ryan Wilkisy/ BackPagePix

Cape Town City settled for a share of the spoils with Venda FC in their opening match of the 2025/26 Motsepe Foundation Championship campaign at Athlone Stadium.

The Cape club was recently relegated to the second tier after a dismal showing in the Betway Premiership last season. City’s fate was sealed via the PSL Promotional/Relegation playoffs, with Orbit College gaining promotion to the topflight.

On the other hand, newly promoted Gomora United kickstarted their season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over newly branded Leicesterford City FC, who purchased the status of JDR Stars from Nnditsheni Nemasisi.

Fellow rookies, The Bees claimed a 2-1 win over seasoned campaigners Baroka FC at KaNyamazane Stadium, while Midlands Wanderers secured a slender 1-0 win at the expense of Hungry Lions at Harry Gwala Stadium.

In Gqeberha, Highbury held the University of Pretoria to a one-all draw at Gelvandale Stadium. KZN-based outfit Milford FC edged newly purchased Lerumo Lions 1-0. Lions bought the status of Pretoria Callies.

Meanwhile, in Limpopo, Black Leopards were subjected to a 3-0 defeat by Casric Stars at Thohoyandou Stadium. Lidoda Duvha shockingly fielded 10 players and played the match without a recognized goalkeeper.

Club captain and defender Thendo Mukumela was used as a stopgap goalkeeper, despite the team having bolstered their goalkeeping department with the signing of Namibian international Lloyd Kazapua, among others.

Elsewhere, Upington City started their new era under recently appointed coach Abram Mongoya with a commanding 4-2 win over Kruger United. Bafana Ba Gucci, as the club is fondly known, are at the summit of the table.