Orbit College head coach Pogiso Makhoye has suddenly found himself without Monnapule Saleng for their New Year's opener against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Versfeld on Monday, 19 January.
Kick-off is at 7.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2).
CURRENT FORM:
Saleng had joined the Betway Premiership newcomers on a season-long loan from Orlando Pirates in September and was an influential figure in the team, contributing two goals and three assists in 11 top-flight appearances.
However, the 27-year-old winger's loan spell was abruptly cut short after the Buccaneers sold him to title rivals Sundowns last week in a move that blindsided Makhoye, who is now searching for a replacement in attack.
Saleng won't make his Bafana ba Style debut against his former employers, though, as he is sidelined through injury, but Makhoye insists he won't let the situation impact his team negatively.
The Mswenko Boyz lost their final three outings of 2025 against Kaizer Chiefs (4-1), Stellenbosch (2-1) and Durban City (3-0), which left them 13th in the standings after 14 rounds, just two points clear of the danger zone.
The Brazilians have a chance to reclaim top spot in the league as they trail Pirates by two points in second place, having played one game more.
Miguel Cardoso's side stuttered into the mid-season break after picking up just eight points from their last five matches and closed out the year with a 1-1 draw against Siwelele on 3 December.
WHAT WAS SAID:
Orbit College head coach Pogiso Makhoye
"We are still trying to find ourselves now because we didn't see it coming. We thought we'll have him until the end of the season, but you know football, you sleep today as an Orbit player, when you wake up tomorrow, you are somewhere else. But this one, we didn't see it coming.
"I think we won't take this as a negative impact because you see it means we are doing something right, because if you check even the stats. It's repeated in the number of goals that he scored and also in terms of assists.
"It means we help him to still stay at the top and stay relevant as well. And it's motivating other players to say, but if the stats that made here where we helped him. It means can happen to anyone."
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
Mamelodi Sundowns - Iqraam Rayners was overlooked for Bafana Bafana's failed 2025 Africa Cup of Nations campaign and he will be looking to make a point to Hugo Broos. The 30-year-old striker scored six goals in 11 appearances and is just one behind Junior Dion in the race for the Golden Boot, although he hasn't found the back of the net in his last three games.
Orbit College - Mbulelo Wagaba returned to Rustenburg in September after spending last season at Marumo Gallants and quickly found his feet, bagging three goals in eight starts for the Mswenko Boyz. The 29-year-old winger could have an even bigger role to play for the club in the wake of Saleng's departure as they look to retain their top-flight status for a second season.