Sibiya applauds troops for hard-fought away win against Orbit

Highbury coach Kabelo Sibiya applauded his troops for their hard-fought 1-0 Motsepe Foundation Championship success against Orbit College at the Olympia Park Stadium in Rustenburg on Saturday.

The win saw Sibiya reach his 30-mark survival target in the league this season, with seven more fixtures left to play.

Highbury are eighth on the log with 31 points from 23 matches, and unbeaten in three consecutive league games.

Lulama Maqoko’s second-half goal saw the Yellow Nation snatch three points from Orbit.

“It was a good victory away from home,” Sibiya said.

“It was a very difficult match, we had to fight even more to win, it was a game in which both teams matched each other.

“They had their chances, and we had our chances, but we showed more hunger in the second half.

“We played with more speed, we were more direct in the second half.

“We really wanted to win this one, because we have seen that the teams below us are not losing matches, so they were getting closer to us. So we had to push even more.

“As much as we looked at the teams at the bottom, we also looked and the ones on the top to say ‘OK, this victory will take us closer to third position’.”

Sibiya said the win against Orbit was vital in keeping their top-three finish dream alive, with Highbury only six points away from achieving their target.

“It was a much-needed victory for us, and I want to commend the guys for the effort they put in.

“The planning was top, they stuck to the plan, in certain moments we forced them to play uncomfortably, where they had to play long balls.

“We are really grateful for the victory, but we played against a very good side.

“They gave us a run for our money, we had to fight, and the game was not easy.

“We are looking forward to the next match, which is a home game against Casric on Friday.

“We believe we will prepare well for that match.”

Highbury’s league fixture against Casric Stars will take place at the Gelvandale Stadium (3pm).

The Herald