Orbit College have completed a fairy-tale run by winning the Premier Soccer League Promotional Playoffs, earning a well-deserved spot in South Africa’s top-flight Premiership next season.
After narrowly missing out on automatic promotion in the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) – finishing just five points behind league winners Durban City – the Rustenburg-based side made the most of their second chance in the playoffs, showing remarkable consistency and composure under pressure.
Their playoff path was anything but easy.
Orbit were pitted against the vastly experienced Cape Town City and a battle-hardened Casric Stars side – both accustomed to the rigours of high-stakes football.
Yet despite the odds stacked against them, they relied on their strong campaign momentum and superior tactical discipline to outlast their opponents in what was essentially a sprint to the finish.
Their journey was a continuation of an impressive upward trajectory after finishing ninth the previous season.
Armed with a renewed sense of belief and a refreshed squad, the Mswenko Boys approached the playoffs with confidence and clear strategy, which paid off as they managed to hurdle their challenges and punch their ticket to top-tier football.
An emotional Pogiso Makhoye, Orbit’s long-serving coach, could barely hold back his joy after the team’s final match.
“It was very difficult,” he said.
“I couldn’t be with the team for the first two matches of the season because I was sick. After we drew against Durban City, I didn’t think we would make it.”
But Makhoye’s faith never wavered.
The coach, who has been at the team for over 15 years, pointed to the club’s smart recruitment strategy as the catalyst for their transformation.
“The signings of Letsie Koapeng (who scored the decisive goal against Cape Town City on Wednesday), Tshepo Matsemela and Given Thibedi brought experience into the squad. We were the second-best team in the MFC, and we deserved to be here,” he continued.
“We deserved to be here, and we took Durban City toe-to-toe until the last game, and we knew that this was our moment, and we needed to promote this team.”
Their promotion marks a significant moment not just for Orbit, but for the entire North West province.
The club becomes the first team from the region to feature in the PSL since Platinum Stars’ relegation in the 2017/18 season, bringing top-flight football back to the province after a long hiatus.
Makhoye, visibly proud, reflected on the club’s incredible journey—from its early days as a college side to a professional outfit now poised to compete among the elite.
“When I started here, I wanted to build a legacy. Even when it was just a College team, my goal was to take them to the First Division and eventually into the PSL. I’m proud to say we’ve achieved that dream.”
“I am proud of these young boys, the unknown players Siyabulela Mabele and Gomolemo Khoto, they came in and delivered and I am happy even for the people of the North West province.”
