Orbit College miss golden opportunity to escape basement

It was a night of stalemates in the Betway Premiership as Durban played host to two high-stakes encounters on Friday. While Durban City FC fought back to rescue a 1-1 draw against basement-dwellers Orbit College FC at Chatsworth Stadium, Lamontville Golden Arrows and Siwelele FC played out to a goalless draw at the King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium.

The results have major implications at both ends of the table, particularly for the relegation-threatened sides such as Orbit College FC and those scrambling for a place in the top half of the standings with only a handful of games remaining in the 2025/26 campaign.

Durban City 1-1 Orbit College FC: Lwamba Rescues Point for Home Side

At Chatsworth Stadium, Orbit College FC missed a golden opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone after taking a shock lead in the first half. The visitors started the brighter of the two sides and were rewarded in the 20th minute when Gomolemo Khoto found the back of the net with a clinical left-footed strike from outside the box, following a swift counter-attack orchestrated by Lebogang Lesako.

Durban City, looking to solidify its sixth-place standing, struggled to break down a resilient Orbit defence for much of the game. However, the introduction of Saziso Magawana at the start of the second half proved inspired. In the 58th minute, Magawana delivered a pinpoint cross into the area, where Jean Lwamba rose highest to power a header into the top left corner, levelling the scores.

Despite a frantic final 30 minutes that saw Darren Keet forced into several saves to deny Lebohang Lesako and Siyabulela Mabele, neither side could find a winner. The draw leaves Orbit College rooted to the bottom of the log with 20 points from 26 matches, level with Marumo Gallants and Magesi FC, though both rivals hold games in hand. Durban City remains comfortably in sixth place with 36 points.

Golden Arrows 0-0 Siwelele: Stalemate at King Goodwill Zwelithini

In the evening’s other coastal clash, Golden Arrows and Siwelele FC cancelled each other out in a cagey affair that lacked a clinical edge in the final third.

The match was characterised by a tactical midfield battle, though Arrows arguably had the better of the chances. Isaac Cissé and Nqobeko Dlamini both forced saves out of Siwelele shot-stopper Ricardo Goss, while Jerome Karlese saw a late header flash wide of the post in the 82nd minute.

Siwelele, under pressure to move into the top eight, had moments of their own, with Sphesihle Jeza testing Edward Maova in the Arrows goal on two occasions in the first half. The introduction of Tebogo Potsane and Lazola Maku in the second period added some energy to the visitors’ attack, but the Arrows’ defence, led by Oumar Komara, held firm.

The point ensures Golden Arrows maintain their seventh-place position with 35 points from 26 games. For Siwelele, the draw is a missed chance to close the gap on the top eight; they remain in 11th place with 29 points, five points adrift of eighth-placed Polokwane City FC.

With the relegation battle involving Orbit College FC, Magesi, and Gallants becoming a three-way tie on points, the pressure shifts to the weekend fixtures. Meanwhile, the race for CAF qualification and top-eight security remains as tight as ever as the season nears its conclusion.