Marumo Gallants boosted their survivals hopes in the DStv Premiership with a crucial 3-1 win over Royal AM on Tuesday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Marumo Gallants 3-1 Royal AM
Date: 05 April 2023
Venue: Free State Stadium
After an impressive win in the CAF Confederation Cup, Gallants recalled Katlego Otladisa, Sibusiso Sibeko, Washington Arubi and Lesedi Nku, who did not start on Sunday night.
Royal AM coach John Maduka recalled Tebogo Potsane, Kabelo Mahlasela, Cyril Lingwati and Mthokozisi Dube following the 5-1 mauling at the hands of Mamelodi Sundowns before the international break.
The home side got off to the perfect start after the returning Nku got his second league of the season with a powerful finish past Ngcobo in the tenth minute.
It took a while for the visitors get their passing game going but they managed to carve out a chance on 30 minutes when Ruzaigh Gamildien was slipped through on goal, but the striker blazed well over from close range.
Gallants shot-stopp Arubi was finally called into action shortly before the halftime break, as the Zimbabwean did well to keep out Potsane's stinging first-time volley from the edge of the box.
Royal AM came out with a more attacking approach in the second and were nearly rewarded shortly after the break, but Lesego Manganyi was unable to keep his header on target from close-range.
That was a bit of drama around the 55th minute when Mahlasela was lucky not receive his marching orders for an apparent stamp on Letsie Koapeng, with the referee only brandishing a yellow card.
The hosts should have doubled their lead five minutes later when the ball was put on a plate for Nku in the six-yard area, but the winger scuffed his strike with the goal at his mercy.
Maduka responded with a triple change for the final 25 minutes, as Sedwyn George, Mxolisi Machuphu and Mfundo Thikazi were introduced in the Royal AM attack.
Celimpilo Ngema nearly put the game out of sight for the visitors when he won possession high up the pitch, but this low strike from distance sailed just wide of the mark with ten minutes remaining.
The hosts were made to pay for those earlier misses when Royal AM found the equliser in the 85th minute, with Thikazi finding the back of the net with a superb free-kick that sailed into the top corner.
However, Gallants restored their lead with two minutes remaining substitute Cheick Soumaro latched onto a defence-splitting pass from Lucky Mohomi before rifling the ball into the back of the net.
The game did end on a sour note, as a scuffle broke out in second-half stoppage time between the two sides, which resulted in two Gallants substitutes being sent off.
Here's how they lined up:
Marumo Gallants: 36. Arubi, 29. Gumede, 24. Mvelase, 7. Nku, 45. Toure, 5. Mabotja, 17. Mohomi, 50. Sibeko, 11. Otladisa, 10. Ngema, 14. Koapeng
Subs: 40. Ngcobo, 32. Makudubela, 27. Nkosi, 6. Soumaro, 22. Thangwane, 34. Pheko, 3. Manaka, 33. Moseamedi.
Royal AM: 32. Ngcobo, 14. Matlaba, 44. Dube, 13. Manganyi, 12. Mahlasela, 7. Pelembe, 24. Lingwati, 6. Kobedi, 11. Potsane, 38. Mashiane, 30. Gamildien
Subs: 25. Mpoto, 42. Macuphu, 22. Rikhotso, 45. George, 77. Cele, 34. Thikazi, 29. Sikakane, 2. Msomi, 8. Phalane
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