Why should we panic? — Pogiso Makhoye stays calm as Orbit College stare relegation in the face

Orbit College head coach Pogiso Makhoye has struck a composed tone despite his side’s alarming league position, insisting that panic will not define their response as the season reaches a critical stage.

The Mswenko Boys slipped deeper into trouble following a defeat to Sekhukhune United on Sunday, a result that leaves them 15th on the standings with just 14 points from 18 matches. 

With only one point separating them from safety, and Magesi FC holding two games in hand, the threat of automatic relegation is real and looming.

Orbit’s numbers paint a grim picture. 

They have conceded a league-high 32 goals while scoring just 14 – a return that underlines their struggles in both boxes during a difficult debut season in the top flight. 

Yet, Makhoye believes context and performance matter more than raw statistics.

“Why should we panic? If we have to be relegated, we can be relegated but we know how to promote the team, but we will keep on fighting until the end of the game,” said Makhoye.

The coach took encouragement from what he described as a shift in approach against Sekhukhune, arguing that his side finally moved away from a conservative low block that had defined much of their campaign.

“And I am happy with the performance today because the past 17 games, we’ve been playing a low block allowing opponents to dictate the games but today we came here it was a different story at least we controlled the game,” he explained.

“I think it’s for the first time this season we played like this that’s why we going back to our old philosophy and conceding two goals there compared to when we were sitting at the back conceding three.”

For Makhoye, conceding while attacking is a risk worth taking, particularly for a side desperate to climb out of danger.

“I am happy today, and scored from our own mistakes because we attacking. We don’t sit and say we need to protect 1-0 because they are leading it’s always gonna happen where you open up at the back trying to get an equalizer.”

Adding experience to a youthful squad, Makhoye has also confirmed the signing of free-agent striker Lesedi Kapinga, who joins after a successful trial.

The 30-year-old has previously lifted league titles with Mamelodi Sundowns and won domestic silverware at Orlando Pirates.

“Yes, he’s with us, and we are signing him, yes. We don’t know [how long he will stay]. Maybe if we survive, he will stay longer,” Makhoye confirmed.

Orbit College will next host Richards Bay at Olympia Park on Saturday, 28 February, a fixture that could yet define the direction of their season.