Pogiso Sanoka returns to Orbit College after ‘unprofessional’ Siwelele departure

Pogiso Sanoka says he is determined to help Orbit College win promotion after returning to the club where he began playing before launching his professional career.

The 34-year-old defender was among a large group of players released by Siwelele FC, bringing an end to his time at the club following disagreements over financial matters.

Sanoka’s departure created an opportunity to rejoin Orbit, who were relegated from the Betway Premiership to the Motsepe Foundation Championship at the end of last season.

He had previously represented Orbit in the ABC Motsepe League in 2014, although his first spell lasted only a short time. After spending less than a month at the club, he was invited to train with Free State Stars.

That trial did not lead to a move to Free State Stars, but Sanoka later joined Maritzburg United, now known as Durban City, and began his professional career.

“Orbit is one team that I didn’t give more. I started here and I couldn’t even stay here for a month or two. I came to Orbit and I stayed a week or two here and then I was fortunate enough to get a call to go to Free State Stars (on trial before joining Maritzburg United),” Sanoka told Soccer Laduma.

The former SuperSport United and TS Galaxy defender said his return was motivated by a desire to repay the club and use his experience to support its younger players.

“My move of coming back home, I wanted to give back to the team because I couldn’t spend much of my time here. I wanted to come here and guide the guys with my experience and make sure that I help them get promotion if possible,” he said.

Sanoka also said he intends to make a significant contribution to Orbit before ending his playing career.

Financial disagreement behind Siwelele exit

Sanoka was part of Siwelele FC from the period when the club bought the top-flight status of SuperSport. He said his exit followed discussions over finances and criticised the way the matter was handled.

“There was a lot that happening behind the scenes. The approach that they came with to me as a former club captain, I can call it’s something that was unprofessional,” he said.

“You cannot be told what to do, instead of sitting down (with me) as a captain. I am a human being and you are a human being. If there was something you wanted us to discuss on our relationship, you call me and say ‘this is the situation and this is how we are going to handle things going forward’. But if you let me know that this is the decision you have taken, then obviously I don’t have a say and I have to accept.”

Asked to provide more detail, Sanoka said the disagreement centred on financial issues that could not be resolved.

“I think it was more about the financial issues, whereby there were certain things we could not agree upon and then I had to take a decision. So, I took a decision to come back home and help the team (Orbit).”

Orbit have made a difficult start to life in the Championship, drawing two and losing two of their opening four matches.