Orbit College head coach Pogiso Makhoye must prepare his team for a massive clash against Orlando Pirates, which could decide the Betway Premiership championship and relegation battle. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Orbit College FC may enter the final weekend of the Betway Premiership season sitting second from bottom, but few clubs carry greater significance heading into Saturday’s decisive fixtures.
The Mswenko Boys have unexpectedly found themselves at the centre of both the title race and the relegation battle ahead of their enormous clash against Orlando Pirates at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
Orbit currently occupy 15th place on the standings with 24 points after 29 matches, level on points with Marumo Gallants but behind on goal difference. That leaves survival hanging by the thinnest of margins heading into the final round of the campaign.
Yet, the challenge awaiting them could hardly be more daunting.
Pirates will arrive in Mbombela knowing victory would hand them a first Betway Premiership title in 14 years after rivals Mamelodi Sundowns completed their campaign earlier this week on 68 points.
The equation is now brutally straightforward for the Buccaneers.
There are no longer any complicated permutations involved heading into the final day. A win over Orbit College would officially crown Pirates champions regardless of any other factor. That reality perhaps increases both the pressure and excitement surrounding Saturday’s encounter even further.
For Pirates, it represents an opportunity to finally reclaim league glory after years of frustration. For Orbit, meanwhile, it becomes a match carrying survival implications against one of the most emotionally charged atmospheres South African football has seen in years.
Meanwhile, Sundowns will watch developments from Morocco while preparing for the second leg of their CAF Champions League final against AS FAR Rabat.
That reality instantly places enormous pressure on both Pirates and Orbit heading into Saturday’s 3pm showdown.
Orbit are not only fighting to preserve their own top-flight status — they may also determine where the Betway Premiership trophy ultimately ends up. After dropping crucial points in a goalless draw against Durban City FC last weekend, Pirates surrendered control of the title race before quickly receiving another opportunity after Sundowns completed their fixtures.
Orbit, however, have already shown signs of resilience in recent weeks after collecting important points that revived their survival hopes. The newly promoted side have gradually turned themselves into difficult opposition during the closing stretch of the season.
Elsewhere, the survival picture remains equally tense.
Magesi FC remain rooted to the bottom of the standings on 21 points and now require both victory and favourable results elsewhere to avoid relegation to the Motsepe Foundation Championship.
Chippa United sit slightly above danger on 25 points but remain vulnerable depending on results elsewhere, while Gallants continue nervously looking over their shoulders. But while several clubs continue calculating survival permutations, Orbit may hold the biggest emotional responsibility of all.
One final result could either preserve their Premiership status or deliver Orlando Pirates the most dramatic league title triumph in years.