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News24
12 hours ago
- Sport
- News24
Little-known Orbit College FC seal dream promotion to PSL top flight as CT City relegated
Orbit College FC have made history, earning promotion to South Africa's top flight after a 1-0 win over Cape Town City in Rustenburg. The victory not only marks their rise from the ABC Motsepe League to the Premiership in just two seasons but also ends the North West Province's seven-year absence from the elite division. Letsie Koapeng's second-half strike sealed the result, sparking emotional scenes as Orbit now prepare to join SA football's biggest names in 2025/26. Orbit College FC sealed a historic promotion to the Premier Soccer League top flight on Thursday, defeating Cape Town City FC 1-0 in front of a capacity crowd at Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg. The victory marks a watershed moment for the North West Province, which will be represented in the Betway Premiership for the first time since Platinum Stars were relegated to the National First Division in 2018. Following their drop, Stars sold their PSL status to Cape Umoya United, leaving a void Orbit will now proudly fill. The 2024/25 PSL Promotion/Relegation Playoffs began with three consecutive stalemates, a cagey theme Orbit shattered last Saturday with a late winner against Casric Stars that catapulted them to the top of the mini-league standings. Then came the arrival of City, owned by John Comitis, to the North West. For Orbit, defeating a club resurrected just nine years ago after acquiring the PSL status of Mpumalanga Black Aces and rebranding entirely was more than just a result, it was the kind of footballing tale usually reserved for fiction. The opening 20 minutes revealed a clear contrast between the two sides. City displayed better technical quality in possession but struggled to make it count, while Orbit showed relentless desire, throwing bodies on the line to preserve their clean sheet. 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐲-𝐨𝐟𝐟 - 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐔𝐋𝐓: Orbit College make it back-to-back wins in the promotion play-offs as they win against Cape Town City. — Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) June 25, 2025 Hashim Domingo – a two-time Premiership winner with Mamelodi Sundowns – was influential in the No. 10 role, dictating play in pockets of space. He came close to breaking the deadlock after a sharp counterattack found him on the edge of the box, but goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane reacted superbly, producing a textbook save to deny him. Despite the match's high tempo, it lacked composure in the final third. Still, the atmosphere continued to build. The crowd was buzzing, and the stadium steadily filled, with cars pouring in and fans arriving in waves, even as the first half neared its end. Everyone wanted to witness what could become a historic moment: Orbit's push for a place in the Premiership. Three minutes after the restart, those who arrived late were met with the roar of celebration – a goal that shifted the momentum and electrified the atmosphere. City's defence switched off at the worst possible moment, both out wide and through the middle. Gomolemo Khoto exploited the space with a pinpoint low cross across the face of the goal, and Letsie Koapeng timed his run to perfection. He redirected the ball beyond a stranded Darren Keet with the faintest touches, sparking jubilation in the Orbit camp and among their swelling support in the stands. The remainder of the match turned into a tense tug-of-war, with Orbit holding on with the kind of grip teams dream of in moments like these. They refused to let it slip, fuelled by raw determination and a roaring Olympia Park crowd that sang every pass, tackle, and clearance into existence. When the final whistle blew, a dream was realised. Orbit had crossed the finish line into the Premiership. On the opposite end of the field, though, it was heartbreak. City, after nine years in South Africa's top flight, were officially relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, their fall sealed in silence despite one last playoff against Casric remaining on Monday, which is now confirmed as a dead rubber. For Orbit's head coach, Pogiso Makhoye, there were tears. 'With the glory of God, I am here,' he said, pausing as emotion overcame him. Then he thanked the people who had supported him and his team along the way: 'They believed in me.' Having spent the better part of a decade in the ABC Motsepe League, Orbit College FC only earned promotion to the National First Division two seasons ago. Since then, their rise has been nothing short of remarkable. Now, they've completed the climb, breaking into the stratosphere of South African football. In the coming 2025/26 season, Orbit will share the stage with the country's elite, going toe-to-toe with giants like Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns. Their story is a beacon for the underdog, a symbol of resurgence for the province, and a fresh heartbeat in South African football. Now, the real journey begins.
The Citizen
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
PSL veteran midfielder set to hang up his boots
Mbatha has previously been on the books of Mpumalanga Black Aces, Mamelodi Sundowns, Platinum Stars, and Highlands Park. Lindokuhle Mbatha of TS Galaxy FC during the Betway Premiership game against Stellenbosch FC at Mbombela Stadium on 18 February 2025 © Jana Kotze/BackpagePix TS Galaxy veteran winger Lindokuhle Mbatha might have laced up his boots for the last time this season. The 39-year-old is preparing to call time on his playing career. New role for PSL veteran The seasoned campaigner, who turns 40 next month, is expected to transition into a new role within the club, marking the end of his time on the pitch. ALSO READ: Pirates beat Chiefs to midfield signing According to sources close to Phakaaathi, Mbatha informed the club ahead of the 2024/25 season that this would be his final campaign in a playing capacity. He made 12 Betway Premiership appearances for Galaxy with his last league game coming up against Stellenbosch FC in February. The Rockets have reportedly responded by preparing a post-retirement position for him to honour his contribution both on and off the field. Mbatha has previously been on the books of Mpumalanga Black Aces, Mamelodi Sundowns, Platinum Stars, and Highlands Park. Key figure In recent years, he became a key figure at TS Galaxy where spent the last five seasons. His most notable successes came with Platinum Stars, where he lifted both the MTN8 Cup competition and Telkom Knockout. ALSO READ: Pirates midfield signing is a 'done deal' Galaxy have not yet announced his retirement, but Mgosi squad has it on good authority that Mbatha has called time on his illustrious career.
