Marumo Gallants advanced to the next round of the CAF Confederation Cup after overcoming AS Vita 3-2 on aggregate.
CAF Confederation Cup
Result: AS Vita 1-1 Marumo Gallants (2-3 on aggregate)
Date: 22 October 2021
Venue: Stade des Maryrs
Gallants were boosted by the return of two-goal hero in the first-leg Celimpilo Ngema and Joseph Malongoane while Katlego Otladisa and Monde Mphambaniso dropped to the bench.
The South African outfit opened the game in the opening exchanges, going toe-to-toe with Vita and they were punished inside the first 20 minutes as the Black Dolphins broke the deadlock to level the tie 2-2 on aggregate.
However, Thabo Mnyamane had a big chance to level matters in the 32nd minute with a free header at the back post that sailed just wide of the upright.
The Congolese giants were playing on counter-attacks in the closing phase of the first stanza and they had a chance eight minutes before the half-time break with a free-kick on the edge of the box that was saved by goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
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Bahlabane Ba Ntwa were committing numbers going forward early in the second stanza, especially after Otladisa replaced Mnyamane and they were nearly punished in the 64th minute from a diagonal ball inside the box that saw Vita striker go through on goal but Arubi pulled off a massive save to keep the visitors in the game.
The Black Dolphins continued to absorb the pressure in the closing stages, denying Gallants space behind their defence by pressing them as soon as they entered the dangerous areas.
With Mpho Maleka's charges causing problems with crosses and long balls into their box, Gallants snatched the equaliser in second-half stoppage time to progress to the play-off round with a 3-2 aggregate win.
Here's how they started:
Gallants: Arubi, Kgoetyane, Mabotja, Thangwane, Nonyane, Ngena, Ndlondlo, Molongoane, Timm, Mnyamane, Matlakala
Subs: Nkosi, Manaka, Sibusiso, Hlatshwayo, Oltladisa, Khiba, Mphambaniso
