Orbit College are bracing themselves for a fight for survival as they prepare to host Betway Premiership title-chasing Orlando Pirates at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday. Kick-off is at 3pm CAT.
CURRENT FORM
Mswenko Boys head into this decisive final-day encounter under immense pressure after Stellenbosch FC ended their three-match unbeaten run with a 2-0 away defeat last weekend.
Orbit currently occupy 15th position on the Betway Premiership log — the relegation playoff spot — and sit just one point behind 13th-placed Chippa United and level on points with 14th-placed Marumo Gallants.
A win or draw against Pirates could guarantee their safety depending on other results.
However, a defeat could also see the North West side suffer direct relegation as they are just three points ahead of 16th-placed Magesi FC.
Pirates, meanwhile, arrive in strong form, having remained unbeaten in their last 12 league matches. However, their two-match winning streak ended with a 0-0 home draw against Durban City last weekend.
The Buccaneers sit in second place, two points behind current leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, who have completed all their fixtures and are now focusing on their CAF Champions League final tie against AS FAR Rabat.
Only a victory at Mbombela Stadium will clinch the Betway Premiership title for Pirates — the Soweto giants' first league crown in 14 years. Anything less than three points will hand the trophy to Sundowns.
TEAM NEWS
Orbit College will be without two key players as Yanga Madiba and Thuso Moleleki are unavailable due to loan agreement terms with Orlando Pirates.
However, three Pirates loanees — Ndumiso Ngiba, Gomolemo Khoto, and Siyabulela Mabele — are eligible to play against their parent club.
Pirates, on the other hand, will once again miss Tapelo Xoki and Sihle Nduli as they are busy with injury rehabilitation.
Furthermore, Kabelo Dlamini, Masindi Nemtajela and Sipho Mbule are doubtful after missing games due to fitness concerns.
WHAT WAS SAID?
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou
"I am really confident and my players have to be confident as well," Ouaddou said.
"It will not be easy because we are going to play against a team that is trying to save their position in the PSL. So let’s go grab it. I think it’s a big challenge."
Orlando Pirates captain Nkosinathi Sibisi
"We are still there, we are still within our objectives. There is no reason to doubt [that we will win the title]. The performance (against Durban City) showed that we wanted to win. Unfortunately, it was not enough," Sibisi said.
"But in our final game against Orbit College, there is no reason not to believe. We would have loved to end the season at home with three points. It wasn’t meant to be; we tried. It wasn’t through a lack of fighting. The boys tried until the final whistle.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Gomolemo Khoto, Orbit College: The skillful winger has been one of Mswenko Boys’ most influential players this season. The Orlando Pirates loanee has scored two goals in his last four matches and will be highly motivated to haunt his parent club as Orbit fight for survival.
Relebohile Mofokeng, Orlando Pirates: The exciting Bafana Bafana international has been one of the standout performers this season, registering 11 goals and nine assists. His creativity and clinical finishing could prove decisive as the Buccaneers chase the league title.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
ALL LEAGUE RESULTS
Season Result Scorers
2025/26 Pirates 1-0 Orbit Seema
LEAGUE RECORD (since 2025/26)
Home
P W D L GF GA
Orbit 0 0 0 0 0 0
Pirates 1 1 0 0 1 0
Away
P W D L GF GA
Orbit 1 0 0 1 0 1
Pirates 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total
P W D L GF GA
Orbit 1 0 0 1 0 1
Pirates 1 1 0 0 1 0