Orbit College promise stronger comeback after Premiership relegation

Orbit’s fate was sealed following their 2-0 loss to Orlando Pirates, which left them at the bottom of the Premiership log after Magesi FC beat Richards Bay 1-0. 

READ: Durban City finish in top half despite defeat, Magesi stay alive

Makhoye, a founding member of the club, bemoaned the two costly own goals but insisted the experience was part of their growth as they look to reclaim promotion in the future. 

"Not the result we wanted and, like you said, those two mistakes changed the whole half-time talk because we conceded right when we needed to go for the [half-time] break," said Makhoye.

"When we came back, we conceded early again when we lost a player through injury so we were still one man short, and unfortunately we were supposed to clear the ball outside.

"We cannot falter these young boys, they gave a good performance and I'm proud of them. We've been building this young team for the past six games and I think we are growing.

"Unfortunately today they knew it's either the playoffs or we get relegated straight, and we prepared for any situation that would come today.

"We are going down, we have to accept that and move on, and prepare for next season – at least before next season we will be able to have rest and prepare the team well again."

Magesi left many questions with nine changes to their line-up against Pirates, including Ramahlwe Mphahlele and Ben Motshwari, but Makhoye says playing some of their younger players was part of preparing for life in the second tier. 

"I'm really a happy man, even today I started with around four under-23 players so it means I was preparing for life in the MFC [Motsepe Foundation Championship] if things didn't go well for us," he added.

"Indeed it happened like that, but we've learnt a lot this season and if we get another chance to get promoted again, I'll be calmer in this league as an experienced coach because I had to learn somewhere.

"Where would I get the experience if I did not experience this? Maybe I'm the first coach who has experienced everything, from promoting a team to relegating a team, and that's so nice."