Latest news with #Rustenburg-based
The Star
19 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Cape Town City may face life in NFD without talented youngsters
Cape Town City will now have to prepare for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after being officially ruled out of the promotion/relegation playoffs earlier this week, bringing a long and difficult season to a disappointing close. The Citizens, who ended the campaign 15th on the Premiership table, fell short when it mattered most and must now regroup for the challenges of second-tier football. The Cape side paid the price for their inconsistency throughout a campaign that only saw them get seven victories from 28 matches and their turn out in the playoffs also lacked the urgency the club has been known for in the last 10 years. Their 1-0 defeat to Orbit College handed the Rustenburg-based side a historic promotion to the top flight. The result took Orbit to an unassailable eight points in the mini-league, ending City's survival hopes with a game to spare. At the start of the season, few would have predicted this outcome for City, especially with the wealth of talent still within their squad. As the dust settles, attention now turns to three of their brightest young stars—players who could soon be on the radar of top-flight clubs. The 20-year-old forward enjoyed a landmark year, becoming one of the few South African players to lift the U-20 Africa Cup of Nations. His rise continued with nine league appearances for City this season, playing a role in their battle to retain top-flight status. Ahshene's technical ability and composure in the final third make him one of the most exciting prospects in South African football. His performances have not gone unnoticed, and with City now relegated, clubs in the Betway Premiership are likely to circle for his signature. Jaedin Rhodes In a season filled with setbacks, Jaedin Rhodes emerged as one of the few consistent performers for City. The 22-year-old midfielder featured in 23 matches, showcasing his resilience and maturity despite the team's struggles. Rhodes, who received a national team call-up to the Bafana Bafana Cosafa Cup squad last year, remains a highly valued asset. His creative spark and tactical intelligence could be central to City's hopes of bouncing back quickly. However, the lure of top-flight football may make it difficult for the club to hold onto him, especially with his stock rising. Emile Witbooi
IOL News
a day ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Cape Town City may face life in NFD without talented youngsters
Cape Town City's Jaedin Rhodes can't hide his emotions after the club was relegated from the Betway Premiership this past week. Photo: BackpagePix Cape Town City will now have to prepare for life in the Motsepe Foundation Championship after being officially ruled out of the promotion/relegation playoffs earlier this week, bringing a long and difficult season to a disappointing close. The Citizens, who ended the campaign 15th on the Premiership table, fell short when it mattered most and must now regroup for the challenges of second-tier football. The Cape side paid the price for their inconsistency throughout a campaign that only saw them get seven victories from 28 matches and their turn out in the playoffs also lacked the urgency the club has been known for in the last 10 years. Their 1-0 defeat to Orbit College handed the Rustenburg-based side a historic promotion to the top flight. The result took Orbit to an unassailable eight points in the mini-league, ending City's survival hopes with a game to spare. At the start of the season, few would have predicted this outcome for City, especially with the wealth of talent still within their squad. As the dust settles, attention now turns to three of their brightest young stars—players who could soon be on the radar of top-flight clubs.
TimesLIVE
a day ago
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Orbit in the money after promotion to Premiership
After making history by earning promotion to the Betway Premiership on Wednesday, Orbit College can bet on a better financial state next season. The Rustenburg-based club beat Cape Town City 1-0 in their last PSL promotional playoff clash to raise their points at the top of the table to an unassailable eight. Orbit's playoffs rivals Casric Stars and City, who are both on two points apiece, meet next for the irrelevant last match of the round-robin contest. For Orbit, being in the elite league means the club will receive a monthly grant of R2.5m from the league. The amount is a far cry from the R500,000 the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) clubs get per month. That means Orbit will go from receiving R6m per annum to R30m. Orbit are also guaranteed appearance fees in the Carling Knockout (R250,000) and Nedbank Cup (R250,000) competitions. And depending on how far they go in each competition, they stand to make a lot of money. The first prizes for the two cup competitions are R6,6m and R7m, respectively. Even better, and potentially a marketing hook for sponsorship, Orbit's promotion means they have finally gave North West a club in the Premiership after a seven-year wait. The province is home to valuable minerals, including gold and platinum, and the mining industry is thriving with several companies operating. After a decade in the ABC Motsepe League, the third tier, Orbit only earned promotion to the MFC two seasons ago. The Mswenko Boys finished second behind Durban City in the MCF to qualify for the playoffs, while Durban earned automatic promotion to the Premiership. Captain Atisang Batsi said they knew their time had come to win promotion. "We said at the beginning of the season that this is our time and we made it," Batsi told SuperSport TV after the game at Olympia Park in Rustenburg. "It means a lot to us, when we started the season, it was a little bit bad but when the season continued we became better. We are looking forward to playing in the Betway Premiership next season." With the promotion done, Orbit will start their preparations for the Premiership where they will have to strengthen the team with experienced players.
IOL News
3 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Orbit College deserve historic PSL promotion, says delighted coach Makhoye
Letsie Koapeng (left) runs to celebrate with Orbit College coach Pogiso Makhoye after scoring against Cape Town City on Wednesday. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Orbit College have completed a fairy-tale run by winning the Premier Soccer League Promotional Playoffs, earning a well-deserved spot in South Africa's top-flight Premiership next season. After narrowly missing out on automatic promotion in the Motsepe Foundation Championship (MFC) – finishing just five points behind league winners Durban City – the Rustenburg-based side made the most of their second chance in the playoffs, showing remarkable consistency and composure under pressure. Their playoff path was anything but easy. Orbit were pitted against the vastly experienced Cape Town City and a battle-hardened Casric Stars side – both accustomed to the rigours of high-stakes football. Yet despite the odds stacked against them, they relied on their strong campaign momentum and superior tactical discipline to outlast their opponents in what was essentially a sprint to the finish. Their journey was a continuation of an impressive upward trajectory after finishing ninth the previous season. Armed with a renewed sense of belief and a refreshed squad, the Mswenko Boys approached the playoffs with confidence and clear strategy, which paid off as they managed to hurdle their challenges and punch their ticket to top-tier football. An emotional Pogiso Makhoye, Orbit's long-serving coach, could barely hold back his joy after the team's final match. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ 'It was very difficult,' he said. 'I couldn't be with the team for the first two matches of the season because I was sick. After we drew against Durban City, I didn't think we would make it.' But Makhoye's faith never wavered. The coach, who has been at the team for over 15 years, pointed to the club's smart recruitment strategy as the catalyst for their transformation. 'The signings of Letsie Koapeng (who scored the decisive goal against Cape Town City on Wednesday), Tshepo Matsemela and Given Thibedi brought experience into the squad. We were the second-best team in the MFC, and we deserved to be here,' he continued. 'We deserved to be here, and we took Durban City toe-to-toe until the last game, and we knew that this was our moment, and we needed to promote this team.' Their promotion marks a significant moment not just for Orbit, but for the entire North West province. The club becomes the first team from the region to feature in the PSL since Platinum Stars' relegation in the 2017/18 season, bringing top-flight football back to the province after a long hiatus.
The South African
3 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
PSL coach wants to talk to Orlando Pirates
Orlando Pirates have been asked to hand a favour to the Betway Premiership new boys, Orbit College FC. Two of Orbit's most influential players, Siyabulela Mabele and Gomolemo Khoto, are on loan from the Buccaneers and are thus expected to return to Orlando Pirates for preseason. The duo's coach, Pogiso Makhoye, has asked to retain the two players as Orbit make their debut in the Betway Premiership next term. Orlando Pirates starting 11 with the eight new signings Orbit College FC team in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Image: ThamiSoccer/Instagram The Rustenburg-based club qualified for the PSL Promotion/Relegation Playoffs after finishing second in the 2024/24 Motsepe Foundation Championship. Why FIFA didn't invite Orlando Pirates to the Club World Cup Orbit, known as Umsweko Boys, won the mini league ahead of Casric Stars and Cape Town City FC with two wins and two draws, where Mabele and Khoto delivered telling roles. 'That one is a boardroom one, but I'd like to have Mabele back, he's still young and needs to play more,' coach Makhoye said to FARPost . 'It's something that we need to talk with Pirates and see what we can do because the boy was developed here. 'He's the heartbeat of this team. I'll be happy to have him back, even Khoto, to have them back here because they need to play. They're still young, and they need to play week in and week out. But we'll see, we'll talk to Pirates. I'd love to have them here,' he Makhoye concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
