“I Promoted This Team, If I Relegate It, It’s Fine”: Makhoye’s Defiant Stance At Orbit
Pogiso Makhoye insists it is highly unlikely that Orbit College FC will part ways with him, saying his long-standing role at the club secures his position regardless of their fate this season.
Makhoye emphasised that he guided the team to promotion last season and maintains that even if they are relegated to the Motsepe Foundation Championship, he has no reason for concern.
His comments come after questions were raised about his job security, particularly following the recent dismissals of Eric Tinkler by Sekhukhune United and Adnan Beganovic by TS Galaxy after poor results.
Orbit have managed just one win in the second half of the season—ironically against Galaxy—and currently sit bottom of the Betway Premiership table with 20 points from 26 matches. They are level on points with 15th-placed Marumo Gallants and 14th-placed Magesi FC.
Despite their struggles, the North West-based club has not made any changes to the technical team. In contrast, Gallants, Magesi, and 13th-placed Chippa United have all changed coaches this season due to poor results.
“So, I must be fired?” Makhoye said after their draw with Durban City FC at Chatsworth Stadium on Friday night.
“I promoted this team. Even if I relegate it, it’s fine—I’m the coach who took it up. I’ve been with this team for the past 15 years.
“So, for me, even if we are relegated, it’s okay. I won’t be the first coach to take a team down.
“I believe in these players. I’ve been with this team from the beginning, and people are only starting to recognise it now.
“So, I’m not worried. Why should I be? If it’s written that we will be relegated, then it will happen. If it’s written that we will stay in the league, then we will stay—regardless of whether there is a coaching change or not.”
Makhoye was the man who secured the club’s promotion via the playoffs at the end of last season. However, if results do not improve, the team faces a serious risk of relegation.
He added that one of the main reasons for their struggles this season has been a lack of preparation time, with the promotion/relegation playoffs only concluding in July and the season starting a month later.
“We are not in a position where we can buy players,” he said.
“I don’t have the luxury of strengthening the squad like other teams, who can rotate multiple line-ups over several games.
“We have to work with what we have. The key lesson for us is that having a proper pre-season, like other teams, would make a big difference.
“We are struggling because we didn’t have that pre-season. We are trying to catch up, dealing with injuries, and playing under pressure.
“We’ve had to push the players hard—that’s been our reality this season.”
