Cape Town City Confirm Coaching Change After Missed Promotion to Betway Premiership
Cape Town City have confirmed a major coaching update following the club’s failure to secure promotion to the Betway Premiership through the Motsepe Foundation Championship playoffs. The announcement comes after a disappointing end to their campaign, where they were unable to convert a strong league finish into top flight promotion. The club had finished second in the league, which earned them a place in the decisive playoff stage, but results in the mini tournament ultimately ended their hopes. A 1-1 draw against Magesi FC sealed their fate and confirmed that they would not be returning to the top division next season. The outcome has triggered immediate reflection within the club structure as planning begins for the next campaign.
The playoff stage proved difficult for Cape Town City from the start, as consistency became a major challenge across their four matches. They ended the mini league with just four points from a possible twelve, leaving them outside the promotion places. The draw against Magesi FC was the final blow, as it mathematically ended their chances of finishing top of the playoff standings. Despite entering the competition with high expectations, the team struggled to find the cutting edge required in key moments. Their inability to convert opportunities into wins ultimately defined their campaign and left them short of promotion.
Following the conclusion of the playoffs, Cape Town City confirmed that head coach Jan Vreman will leave his position at the end of the 2025/26 season. The Dutch coach spent just one season in charge of the club, arriving during a challenging period and tasked with stabilising performance and pushing for immediate promotion. In an official statement, the club expressed appreciation for his leadership and professionalism during his tenure. They highlighted his role in guiding the team to a second place finish in the league and acknowledged the progress made under his guidance. While the results fell short of promotion, the club made it clear that his contribution was valued.
Under Vreman’s leadership, Cape Town City developed one of the strongest defensive records in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. The team conceded just 23 goals in 30 league matches, a figure that placed them among the most organised defensive units in the competition. This defensive stability formed the foundation of their second place finish and kept them competitive throughout the season. Several players also benefited from increased responsibility and development under his management. Young talents such as Gabriel Amato, Dhakier Lee and Caydon Fortune gained valuable experience, while experienced figures like Therlo Moosa, Micky Van Der Hart and Jaedin Rhodes played key roles in maintaining consistency.
Despite these positives, the failure to secure promotion has led to a natural end-of-cycle decision at the club. The gap between strong league performances and playoff execution became the defining issue of the season. Cape Town City showed structure and discipline across long stretches of the campaign but could not deliver when it mattered most in the final stage. The club now faces the task of rebuilding momentum ahead of the next season while deciding on its long term technical direction. The transition period will be important as they aim to return stronger in the next promotion race.
Attention now shifts to the final playoff fixture, where Magesi FC and Milford FC will compete for a place in the Betway Premiership. The decisive match will take place at Seshego Stadium and will determine which side earns top flight football next season. While Cape Town City are no longer involved in the race, the outcome will complete a tightly contested promotion battle. For City, the focus turns inward as they assess lessons from a season that delivered strong defensive performances but fell short of the ultimate target.
