Rush start to the season hampers struggling Orbit College

Struggling Orbit College were on the back foot from the start of the season after winning the promotion-relegation playoffs, having little time to strengthen their squad before their maiden Betway Premiership campaign got underway, says coach Pogiso Makhoye.

“For us, everything was a rush. Remember we had to play those playoffs and then after the playoffs, we had to start the season with what we had,” he said, explaining the dilemma for the newly promoted side who are in relegation trouble near the bottom of the table.

“And now you look at the market and try to reinforce. Can you compete in the market? No, I cannot compete with the booking. That's why we played with the players that we had, many of whom had only had two seasons in the Motsepe Foundation Championship.

“So we took a gamble to say ‘let’s not disturb the team and continue with what we have’.”

But Orbit struggled through the first half of the season.

“We could see this is not working,” added Makhoye, also in his debut season as a top-flight coach.

“We needed to look at the market and try to recruit new players, but it takes time for them to gel,” he said after reinforcing the side with the likes of veteran defender Brain Onyango and Ramahlwe Mphahlele, midfielder Ben Motshwari, attacker Surprise Ralani and ex-Polokwane City forward Alucious Wagaba, who is emerging as a regular scorer.

Orbit are only a single point above bottom-placed Magesi in the standings and have a vital relegation tussle on Sunday away at Marumo Gallants.