‘Tears will flow’ – Orbit College coach sends warning to Orlando Pirates ahead of title decider

Orbit College assistant coach Kabelo Machete has thrown down the gauntlet to Orlando Pirates ahead of Saturday’s decisive Premiership clash, insisting his side will determine where the league title ends up.

Pirates travel to Mbombela Stadium knowing victory will hand them a first league crown in 14 years, while anything less could open the door for rivals Mamelodi Sundowns to snatch the title. But ORBIT, fighting for their own survival, are equally desperate, requiring only a draw to preserve their top-flight status.

The build-up to the encounter has been dominated by the pressure surrounding Pirates, yet Machete believes the underdogs are embracing the moment rather than fearing it.

“I think the premier first alluded, to say the stadium we’re going to is got a banana peel, the tears are gonna be flowing there, but we don’t know tears are gonna be from where,” Machete said, as quoted by iDiski Times.

With the title race and relegation battle colliding in one fixture, Machete maintained that ORBIT are fully aware of the influence they hold over the championship outcome.

“The mood is a very good mood for us as a team to be up against big teams we are playing tomorrow; to be the deciding. We hold the key whether [the league] it’s going to Mamelodi or whether it’s going to Orlando.”

Orbit embracing the pressure

The North West outfit head into the encounter with little expectation from outsiders, but Machete suggested that his players are feeding off the significance of the occasion.

“The boys know that we are holding the keys, so if you want the keys, you know where to go – to the students,” he said.

“For us, it’s games like these that you don’t need to motivate the players. Where else are you gonna play in a packed stadium? Where else are you gonna play in a sold-out stadium?”

Pirates have spent years chasing a return to the summit of South African football and now stand one victory away from ending that drought. However, ORBIT believe the pressure sitting on the Buccaneers could work in their favour.

Machete leaned on biblical imagery to underline the scale of the challenge facing his side, comparing the clash to the story of David and Goliath.

“It’s a story of David and Goliath in the Bible. We all know the story of David and Goliath. We brought the stone, everyone can see the stone, so which means we’re David in this, so we don’t need five stones, we only need one.”

Survival battle adds extra edge

While Pirates chase glory, ORBIT are battling to secure their Premiership future, adding another layer of tension to the high-stakes fixture.

Machete acknowledged the emotional intensity surrounding the contest but insisted his side would not be intimidated by the occasion or by Pirates’ ambitions.

“Our opposition will be praying in the other dressing room, we will be praying,” he added.

“So, we will see if God is from Orlando or he’s from North West. It’s gonna be very difficult for all of us.

“It’s pressure game. We accept the pressure and we’ll flourish under pressure.”