No panic buttons yet for struggling Orbit

Orbit College are not pushing any panic buttons as they flounder in the Betway Premiership relegation zone with coach Pogiso Makhoye insisting there are still many key matches to come in the campaign.

The newcomers, in their first top flight campaign after winning last season’s promotion-relegation playoffs, sit second from-bottom, four points above Magesi in last place but having played two matches more.

“We're in the relegation zone, but we still have seven games to play. We still have to play some of the teams in the relegation zone with us.

“For us, we only need to start putting the panic button when we lose games against clubs like Marumo Gallants, or against Magesi and other teams around us,” the coach said.

Orbit will be taking on Gallants, who are above them on goal difference, in Bloemfontein on Sunday in their next Betway Premiership outing.

“We know these are challenges that we have and everybody in the squad knows it's not going to be easy. It’s going to be difficult. We need to be united together as a team and when you see the performance in the 30 minutes against Chiefs, you could see the intent of the team,” Makhoye added.

Orbit were 1-0 up against Kaizer Chiefs in Monday’s clash at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha but eventually lost 3-1.

“If we can carry on with that performance, especially what we displayed in the first half I think we can survive.

“I think mentally we are ready, it is just that we've been unfortunate. We are not like other teams, who you can field the same line-up three games in a row. The next game against Marumo will be difficult because it's a six-point game.

“If we want to see ourselves playing in this league again next season, we need to go all out against Marumo. We need to be mentally strong because we put ourselves where we are.

“Everybody knows what how important it is to stay in this league,” Makhoye added.