Orbit College registered their first goal and win in the Betway Premiership as they edged past Siwelele FC 1-0 at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday.
Despite registering less shots and having less possession, The Mswenko Boys claimed their first three points of the club’s debut Betway Premiership campaign, while Siwelele were booted from top spot on the table.
Orbit’s Siyabulela Mabele showed off his pace and skill down the right hand side in the 11th minute, making it to the baseline before his cross attempt was stopped by Siyabonga Ndebele.
Siwelele wasted a freekick opportunity in the 21st minute as Gape Moralo’s effort was easily saved by Ricardo Goss, who did not have to move.
The Mswenko Boys came close to an opening goal in the 27th minute.
Mabele’s cross found Letsie Koapeng in the middle of the box, who unselfishly passed to Monnapule Saleng, but his tame effort took a deflection and made for an easy collection for Goss.
In the 29th minute, Orbit goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane’s pass found Christian Saile instead of its intended target, who took a left-footed shot from the edge of the area, but he could not curl his effort enough to find the target.
The best chance of the half came in the 41st minute as Given Thibedi booted a long ball forward which was misjudged by Buhle Mkhwanazi, allowing Saleng to collect the ball and charge at goal, but the Siwelele captain recovered and made a brilliant challenge in the box to deny the former Buccaneer.
KOAPENG STRIKES
Saleng was straight back to business to start the second half, showing great skill to get past Ndebele at the edge of the area in the 49th minute, but he lashed his effort into the ground, allowing Goss to collect it comfortably.
In the 56th minute, Lyle Lakay delivered a dangerous ball from a freekick, but Magidigidi could not make contact with it.
Ndebele arrived at the back post but put the ball into the side-netting at full stretch.
Magidigidi found himself on the end of a pinpoint cross in the 61st minute, rising above the defence, but his headed effort was fired straight at Goss who made the save.
Siwelele had another freekick in the 63rd minute, which Lakay missed by a whisker aiming for the bottom right corner.
In the 71st minute, Vincent Pule had Moerane scrambling with a long-range effort which sailed narrowly over the bar.
The Mswenko boys found the back of the net in the 73rd minute as Mabele found Koapeng in the box, whose shot took a deflection off of Mkwanazi, leaving Goss flat-footed on its way to the bottom left corner.
Siwelele nearly responded instantly as Pule rifled a fierce strike from the edge of the area but was denied by Moerane.
In the 88th min, birthday boy Neo Rapoo struck a dangerous freekick which did not dip in time and clipped the top of the goal.
Orbit College will hopefully return home to Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg, which is currently undergoing maintenance, next Tuesday for their clash against Sekhukhune United.
Siwelele will look to bounce back against Polokwane City at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville next Tuesday
Orbit College: (0) 1 (Koapeng 73’)
Siwelele FC: 0
Orbit College: S. Moerane, T. Jingana, T. Nhlapo, N. Ngiba, K. Sethlodi, R. Potsana, A. Batsi (L. Modimoeng 90+2’), S. Mabele, M. Saleng, G. Thibedi, L. Koapeng (T. Matsemela 81’)
Siwelele: R. Goss, N. Rapoo, S. Ndebele, B. Mkhwanazi, N. Mobbie, G. Moralo (G. Margeman 79’), R. Mokhuoane, G. Lungu, V. Pule (K. Ayer 79’), C. Saile (L. Lakay 46’), S. Magidigidi (W. Lakay 62’)