Lesotho star goalkeeper Sekhoane Moerane has showcased his big match temperament in South Africa playing a key role as Orbit College secured promotion to the Betway Premiership.
The Likuena captain kept four clean sheets in the recent PSL promotion play-offs, where Mswenko Boys, as Orbit is affectionately known, finished at the summit of a three-team table to end Cape Town City nine-year era.
After going 18 games without tasting action for Orbit, Moerane returned to action with a bang early in April, keeping 10 clean sheets in 11 games, where he also netted a stunning long-range goal from his own half in a 2-1 victory over Hungry Lions.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper maintained the impressive form between the sticks in the play-offs keeping four clean sheets in four games as Orbit secured promotion to bring back top-flight in the Northwest Province.
Moerane admitted that his impressive displays for Likuena in the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers against South Africa and Rwanda was a turning point for him as Orbit coach Pogiso Makhoye turned to the Mazenod born for a change of fortunes after his side’s defeat to Highbury in March.
Moerane didn’t disappoint and grabbed the opportunity with both hands as Orbit went on an 11-match unbeaten streak, where he kept ten clean sheets, conceding once, and scoring a goal leading to Mswenko Boys securing top-flight football status.
“By the look of it, my performance in the national team played a key role in me regaining my place in the starting line-up at Orbit, because the coach took me aside before I returned and told me that he is going to give me a chance to play,” Moerane explained.
“He told me that he would love to see me display the same confidence, bravery and good form I showed for the national team in the colours of Orbit, and I think, it was after a draw and loss after returning from national team duty.
“I hadn’t played for Orbit in 18 games where I had to settle for a place on the bench, but that never discouraged me as I continued to work hard as I waited for my chance.”
The 2023 COSAFA Cup Goalkeeper of the Tournament stated that helping Orbit gain promotion to the PSL ranks amongst his biggest achievement of his career, but feels his best is yet to come.
“I’m very proud to have contributed to such a big milestone for the club. We have been knocking on the door over the last two seasons, and we are happy to have finally achieved it,” the Likuena captain said.
“Of course, it was good to have contributed as an individual keeping ten clean sheets after regaining my place in the starting line-up.
Moerane didn’t only hog the headlines for his clean sheets, but for scoring a goal as well, a rare feat for a goalkeeper, which came in the 2-1 victory over Hungry Lions.
The goalkeeper, who hails from Mazenod, is known for finding the back of the net with long range efforts having also scored for his country in a friendly match against Ethiopia in 2024.
“It’s always sweet for a goalkeeper to keep clean sheets and I’m happy that I was able to contribute towards the success of the winning promotion to the PSL and scoring a goal for a goalkeeper in the promotion run-in was a cherry on top.
“What I can tell you, is that this is the beginning of many good things to come, and we are all happy to have brought this team the success it deserves because we worked hard for it,” he said.