Pogiso Makhoye on how a former player gave Kaizer Chiefs a breath of fresh air

After being released by Casric Stars in January, former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Given Thibedi found an unlikely lifeline in Orbit College FC—and coach Pogiso Makhoye had a clear message for him.

"I called him and said: 'I want to prove to South Africa that you're not done yet,'" Makhoye revealed in an interview with FARPost. "And he’s showing exactly that."

Thibedi, once considered a rising star after breaking into Chiefs' senior team in 2018, saw his career stall after failing to cement his place at Naturena. Loan spells and a permanent move to Moroka Swallows followed, but his progress remained inconsistent—until Orbit College offered him a fresh start.

"He fits our style perfectly," said Makhoye. "We play the kind of football that allows him to shine, and I believe we can help him remind everyone of his talent. People wrote him off, but this is his chance to rewrite his story."

The 25-year-old has quickly become an important figure for Orbit, who secured a spot in the PSL Promotion/Relegation Playoffs after finishing second in the Motsepe Foundation Championship. Thibedi will now play a crucial role in the club’s push for top-flight football next season.

Makhoye emphasized that while the club will support Thibedi, the responsibility ultimately lies with the player himself. "This is his opportunity, but he has to grab it. Talent alone isn’t enough—he must work for it. And so far, he’s proving he still has what it takes."

With Orbit’s promotion ambitions and Thibedi’s personal redemption at stake, the coming weeks could determine whether this unexpected partnership revives a fading career—or confirms its untapped potential.