Orbit College will now shift their focus to Premiership outfit Cape Town City following their goalless opening encounter against Casric Stars in the Premier Soccer League promotion-relegation playoffs opener on Wednesday.
The Rustenburg-based club, making their debut in the promotional playoffs after finishing second behind league winners Durban City, might feel they missed a chance to take full control of the mini-tournament.
After the stalemate, they now face a challenging trip to the Mother City, where they will meet a Cape Town City side eager to begin their fight to retain top-flight status.
The match is scheduled for Saturday at Cape Town Stadium, with kickoff set for 3pm.
Both Orbit and Casric Stars are determined to claim the Cape side’s spot in the Premiership.
Reflecting on the tight contest against Casric, Orbit coach Pogiso Makhoye was content to walk away with a point, emphasising the tactical battle that unfolded.
“We knew each other and we also knew each other’s strengths. What we tried to do was to eliminate Decide Chauke and Kermit Erasmus every time they wanted to come short,” Makhoye said after the match.
“We wanted to use the space behind. We got a couple of chances that we could have capitalised on but it was not to be. We will take the one point and move on.”
Makhoye further explained the tactical adjustments made during the game as they sought to unlock Casric’s defence.
“We needed more speed. That is why we brought in Gomolemo Khoto, because we saw that their centre backs are very slow. With Khoto’s speed and Siyabulela Mabele, we hoped to have more space behind to run at,” he said.
“But it didn’t work, and that is why we brought in Ayanda Lukhele: so that we could have a point of reference, play off the second ball, and create chances from crosses.”
Despite the draw, Makhoye remains confident ahead of their encounter with the Cape side, noting his side’s ability to travel well.
“We came here for a point, and we protected that point.
“Now we head to Cape Town. We are good travellers, and we are not worried about that trip.
“We are playing opponents that don’t know us and we also don’t know them, so we will go there and give it our best shot.
“Hopefully, we can come back with the three points.”
City are a Premiership side with a consistent record not only in the league, but also within the top eight, and the expectation will be for them to offer a stiff test for the visitors.
However, Makhoye is banking on the experience his players gained from recent friendlies against top-flight sides such as Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United heading into the clash.
“The friendlies have prepared us very well, because when we play in our league, you don’t get a lot of space.
“But when playing against Premiership sides, you get some space, although we won’t give them any.
“We did that against both Sekhukhune and Pirates to test ourselves.
“If we can go with the same mentality we had in those two games, we can get something in Cape Town.”
