Orlando Pirates loanee earns high praise from Orbit College coach

Orbit College FC is on the cusp of Betway Premiership promotion, largely thanks to the heroics of Orlando Pirates loanee Siyabulela Mabele.

Mabele’s crucial second-half goal against Casric Stars on Saturday at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, has propelled Orbit College to the top of the PSL Promotion/Relegation Playoffs mini-log.

The North West-based side now needs just one more win, against Cape Town City FC on Wednesday, to secure a historic promotion to South Africa’s top flight. The 22-year-old Mabele has been a standout performer for Orbit College this season, boasting an impressive record of 10 goals in 30 matches.

Orbit College coach Pogiso Makhoye showered praise on the Orlando Pirates loanee. “Mabele got a big opportunity, but we knew that the boy would score. He has been the top performer in this team,” Makhoye told SuperSport TV.

Makhoye admitted that his team’s performance against Casric Stars wasn’t the most pleasing, but he was thrilled with the outcome. “It was always the plan. We said we were not here to play pretty football because of the pitch,” Makhoye explained.

“So we are not worried because as long as we don’t concede, we have every chance of scoring. I mean, in these playoffs, we have never conceded. Until the last game, we didn’t have a shot on target. Today (Saturday), we got a shot on target and it resulted in a goal.”

Orbit College will host Cape Town City at the Olympia Park Stadium this Wednesday, June 25th, at 3:00 PM.

Despite being so close to their goal of promotion, Makhoye stressed the importance of maintaining composure.

“We need to remain calm. When things are going well for you, you just need to remain calm. We must not be excited, and complacency must never kick in because we will have a big game on Wednesday,” he urged.

“It’s there for the taking. For now, we will let them celebrate because it’s the first time beating Casric. But we need to remain humble and calm, especially for that game against Cape Town City.”