Betway Premiership: Monnapule Saleng Fires Orbit College Past Richards Bay in Crucial PSL Win

Betway Premiership: Monnapule Saleng Fires Orbit College Past Richards Bay in Crucial PSL Win

Orbit College secured a vital three points and bounced back to winning ways in the Betway Premiership with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Richards Bay FC at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Friday night.

The result gives the promoted side significant breathing room as they climb the league standings.

The win elevates the Mswenko Boys to 12th spot after registering their third victory of the season, marking a positive return to form for Coach Pogiso Makhoye.

They will look to carry this momentum into their next league match when they host Magesi FC on November 1st.

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For the Natal Rich Boys, the defeat is their fifth of the campaign, leaving them stuck in 10th place.

Co-coaches Papi Zothwane and Ronnie Gabriel will be desperate for their side to rebound quickly as they turn their attention to a local derby against Durban City in the Carling Knockout on October 25th.

Match Highlights: Goals and Drama

Orbit College enjoyed a promising start and capitalized early, taking the lead just 14 minutes into the match.

Lethabo Modimoeng was the man to score, netting after a lapse in the Richards Bay defense, with Thuso Moleleki providing the assist.

The home side, however, found an equalizer before the halftime whistle. In-form striker Knox Mutizwa continued his scoring streak, finding the back of the net in the 39th minute after being set up by Thabisa Ndelu.

This marked Mutizwa’s third goal in just two matches, leveling the scores at 1-1.

The second half saw the visitors apply immediate pressure, and they were rewarded in the 51st minute. Monnapule Saleng, on loan from Orlando Pirates, restored Orbit’s lead with a close-range tap-in to make the score 2-1.

That being said, the goal was not without controversy, as there was suspicion that Saleng was offside in the build-up.

In a bid to salvage a point, Richards Bay’s technical team reacted by introducing proven goalscorer Frank Mhango in the 73rd minute.

Orbit College countered by shoring up their defense, bringing on veteran former Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs defender, Ramahlwe Mphahlele, for his club debut in the 85th minute.