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[FILE] Orbit College FC and Orlando Pirates players during their last encounter in 2025
The Betway Premiership season’s curtain will fall this weekend as relegation-threatened Orbit College will not only be fighting to save their Betway Premiership status, but they will also hold the key to who will win the Championship.
Orbit will host Orlando Pirates at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday, who will be looking to win their first league title since the 2011/12 season.
Tears of pain or sorrow will flow at the sold-out Mbombela stadium on Saturday, regardless of the results.
Orlando Pirates are in second place and trailing Mamelodi Sundowns by two points.
MATCH DAY | 🏆
Can Pirates finish their campaign with a win under maximum pressure?
⚽Orbit College vs Orlando Pirates
📅 Sat, 23 May
⏰ 14:30
📺 SABC 1 || Not available on OVHD
📲 Stream on | Download the app and never miss a moment of the… pic.twitter.com/F6kfloHZKJ— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) May 23, 2026
Pirates coach Abdeslam Ouaddou is adamant they will rise to the occasion this time after giving their all last weekend.
“Our boys gave everything to be honest, I have nothing to complain about. Let’s go for it in the last game, we have all the qualities to go and win that game and to be champions.”
Orbit, who are in 15th place, will be looking for an outright victory or a draw to preserve their top-flight status and hope that Marumo Gallants, who are above them, drop points.
Their assistant coach, Kabelo Machete, is aware that they could play a sterling role in the destiny of the Championship.
“We hold the key whether it’s going to Mamelodi or Orlando, I think it’s a story of David and Goliath and we know the story in the Bible, and we brought the stone. Everyone can see the stone, which means we are David in this. We don’t need five stones, we only need one, so mentally this is the stone that we prepared them with.”
Orbit will go into the match as underwhelming underdogs against their much more illustrious opponents.
The Buccaneers were expected to clinch the title at their packed home ground, but Durban City put the spanner in their works, which is the result that will motivate Orbit.
Seven matches will be played on Saturday, but most eyes will be glued to the one in Mbombela.
Orbit have seven players on loan from Pirates and some of them will miss out on a championship medal should Pirates win, due to the loan agreement with their parent club.
VIDEO | Betway Premiership | All eyes on Mbombela Stadium as Orlando Pirates eye first title in 14 years
