Nedbank Cup Last 32 Report: Marumo Gallants v Santos 13 February 2022

Result: Marumo Gallants 2-0 Santos

Date: 13 February 2022

Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium

Gallants were dominating possession in the early exchanges, enjoying over 80 percent of the ball in the first ten minutes.

In the 13th minute, Lebohang Mabotja won a free kick on the left wing after being fouled by Riyaaz Nell. Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo stepped up and his curled effort went just wide of the right post.

Gallants broke the deadlock in the 18th minute with a neatly put together move. Ndlondlo played a lateral ball to Mpho Mvelase on the right-hand side of the box and he squared for Serge Dion Junior to poke home from close range.

Dan Malesela's side continued to boss the encounter and came close twice in quick succession before the interval. First, Miguel Timm threaded a ball down the right-hand side of the box for Junior Dion and his shot towards the near post was pushed away by Santos goalkeeper Stanton Weir.

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Soon after, Ndlondlo hit the post after he was teed up centrally in the box by Celimpilo Ngema with Weir getting a hand to it on its way off the right-hand upright.

On the stroke of half-time the ball was floated to the back post for Ngema, whose snapshot was saved by the legs of Weir.

Gallants midfielder Katlego Otladisa was having a significant impact on proceedings and ten minutes after the interval his right footed shot from outside the box was close, but missed to the left after he was set up by Ngema.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa doubled their lead in the 65th minute when Katlego Otladisa's cross from the left-hand side was turned in by Dion Junior for his brace.

Santos tested Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi for the first time in the match in the 67th minute when Ray-Marco Wildskut got in behind down the left-hand side of the box but his effort did not trouble the Zimbabwean shot-stopper as it was not powerful enough and too central.

Otladisa then unleashed a stinging long-range drive and Weir held onto it at the second attempt.

Santos almost pulled a goal back in the 81st minute when Shiraaj Davids spotted Arubi off his line and his volley almost caught the Gallants goalie out as he had to rush back hurriedly and tip the ball over his bar.

Santos striker Nell should have pulled a goal back five minutes before full-time when he headed wastefully wide from Suhayl Allie's cross, as Gallants advanced with the 2-0 triumph.

Gallants: 36. Arubi, 5. Mabotja, 2. Nkili, 24. Mvelase, 18. Nonyane, 20. Ndlondlo, 10. Ngema, 6. Timm, 11. Otladisa, 21. Malongoane, 33. Dion

Subs: 16. Ndlovu, Monde, 30. Kumalo, 14. Lamola, 32. Makhudubela, 19. Ravhuhali, 23. Mnyamne, 13. Kgoetyane, 29. Gumede

Santos: 21. Weir, 9. Africa, 5. Finck, 4. Trouncelle, 18. Malagas, 6 Esau, 10. Allie, 7. Davids, 8. Fish, 22. Wildskut, 19. Nell

Subs: 33. Soeker, 17. April, 20. Mrawu, 15. Poole, 11. Tyimi, 3. Charles, 2. Craak, 14. Bezuidenhout, 29. Petersen.

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