Orlando Pirates star defends Orbit College’s own goals – ‘It’s a result of pressure’

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Orlando Pirates star defends Orbit College’s own goals – ‘It’s a result of pressure’
Kamogelo Sebelebele, Orlando Pirates vs Orbit College. Image: Pirates

Orlando Pirates defender Tapelo Xoki has dismissed the notion that his team were the beneficiaries of questionable own goals from Orbit College on Saturday.

Pirates won 2-0 thanks to a couple of own goals from the home side to get the victory they needed to win their first league title in 14 years.

Orbit College held firm in the first half and when it looked like both teams would go to the break goalless, the home side’s goalkeeper Sabelo Nkomo punched the ball into his own net as he attempted to clear it from Deon Hotto’s corner.

Tapelo Xoki defends own goals

The second goal was scored three minutes after the break when Pirates went on the attack with Ndumiso Ngiba hitting it in his own net in bizarre fashion.

Those two goals have raised questions over whether they were deliberate but Xoki does not see anything sinister, saying it was as a result of his teammates putting the opponent on the backfoot.

“The own goals are the result of mistakes and mistakes are a result of applying pressure so it is part of football,” Xoki said on Metro FM. “For us, as long as we are putting pressure, the opponent is bound to make mistakes. So, kudos to the guys who applied pressure.”

Pirates ended 14-year title wait

Pirates had gone into the game under massive pressure to secure maximum points after missing a great opportunity in their penultimate game against Durban City, which ended goalless.

Orlando Pirates celebrate after winning the 2025-26 Betway Premiership title.
Orlando Pirates celebrate after winning the 2025-26 Betway Premiership title. Image: Orlando Pirates

With Orbit College requiring a win to survive or a draw to secure a playoff spot, a lot was at stake for Pirates who knew only three points would suffice but their nerves were calmed when Nkomo scored in his own net.

<!-- Author Start -->Joel Oliver<!-- Author End -->

Joel Oliver

Author

Joel Oliver is a seasoned multimedia sports journalist with a rich background in covering diverse football stories and events in South Africa and beyond.
His extensive coverage spans subjects touching on the PSL, with a focus on the Big Three (Orlando Pirates, Kaizer Chiefs & Mamelodi Sundowns), Bafana Bafana and Banyana Banyana.

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