Cape Town Spurs’ MFC History

Ernst Middendorp’s side kicked off their promotion challenge with a 0-0 draw against University of Pretoria on August 25 before recording a 1-0 win over Venda FC five days later to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2024-25 Motsepe Foundation Championship season.

We’re taking a trip back in time to see how the Urban Warriors fared in the opening two matches of their previous three campaigns in the National First Division and where they ended up in the table.

2020-21

Sporting a new name and a shiny new logo, Cape Town Spurs began the 2020-21 season with a 1-0 victory over Richards Bay courtesy of Abednego Mosiatlhaga’s 80th-minute goal, but suffered their first defeat just three days later after succumbing to Marumo Gallants by the same scoreline. Calvin Marlin went on to guide the team to a second-placed finish with 57 points, only to miss out on promotion in the play-offs.

2021-22

The Urban Warriors made a stuttering start under Dylan Deane, drawing 0-0 with Venda FC followed by a 2-0 defeat to Polokwane City. He ended up parting ways with the club in October after results didn’t improve and Shaun Bartlett was brought in for the remainder of the season. The former Spurs striker lost just five games, but too many draws (15) saw the team finish in 14th position with 33 points.

2022-23

Spurs finally began to gel under Bartlett the following season and opened proceedings with a 1-1 draw against Pretoria Callies as Ashley Cupido’s 62nd-minute equaliser salvaged a point before he got his name on the scoresheet once more alongside Therlo Moosa to secure a 2-0 victory over Magesi. Cupido would finish as the top scorer in the Motsepe Foundation Championship with 15 goals to help the Urban Warriors claim second spot and promotion followed after winning the playoffs.