Ten-man Stellenbosch FC pulled off a remarkable turnaround, rescuing a match that had seemed lost to claim a dramatic 2–1 victory over Orbit College at Olympia Park Stadium on Wednesday.
Orbit had taken the lead through a first-half strike from Mbulelo Wagaba, but a stunning long-range effort from Thato Khiba levelled matters in stoppage time, before Athenkosi Mcaba punished Orbit’s defensive lapse moments later to snatch an added-time winner.
For most of the night, Stellenbosch looked destined for a third straight defeat, still trailing 1–0 in the 89th minute. But a combination of smart second-half substitutions and renewed urgency in the dying stages powered the Cape side to only their third win of the season.
Orbit’s defence looked uncertain throughout, yet Stellies failed to convert their dominance into goals earlier, lacking the precision and calmness required in the final third. For large parts of the opening half, the visitors dictated the tempo and carried most of the attacking threat, while Orbit needed time to settle.
The best chance of the first half fell to Devin Titus in the 12th minute when he hammered a fierce strike goalwards, only for Orbit goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane to produce a superb save after clever build-up play from Muzomuhle Khanyi.
Stellenbosch arrived desperate to reverse their fortunes after back-to-back defeats and hoping to regain momentum in their league campaign. But they faced an Orbit side unbeaten at home and enjoying an impressive start to life in the top flight.
Despite creating the clearer opportunities, Stellenbosch were punished on the stroke of halftime after Mthetheleli Mthiyane’s mistimed forward run left them exposed defensively.
Orbit seized the opening instantly, with Monnapule Saleng surging into space and slipping an assist to Wagaba, who calmly slotted past Sage Stephens to deliver a gut punch right before the break.
Stellies pushed aggressively for an equaliser in the second half, while Orbit absorbed pressure and looked to hit back on the break. Their task grew even more difficult when Thabo Moloisane, already on a yellow, received his second booking with ten minutes remaining, reducing them to ten men.
But the hosts ultimately paid for their own mistakes. Two late defensive lapses proved fatal, allowing Khiba to smash home a dramatic equaliser before Mcaba completed the comeback with the winner, handing Orbit their first defeat of the season at Olympia Park in the most heartbreaking fashion.
