Kanalelo takes charge of struggling Marumo Gallants before Orlando Pirates test

Former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo has been appointed head coach of Premier Soccer League side Marumo Gallants, who are preparing to face reigning champions Orlando Pirates.

The 55-year-old Namibian was introduced to the Gallants squad at Rosina Sedibane Modiba Sports Ground, the club’s training base, on Monday morning.

A source at the club said Kanalelo appeared enthusiastic about taking on the challenge and helping the team recover from a difficult start to the season.

“We met him before training. The management said he’s our head coach moving forward,” the source said.

Gallants, also known as Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, are bottom of the Premier Soccer League standings after six matches. They have recorded two draws and lost their other four games, a run of results which led to the dismissal of their previous coach, Phuti Mohafe.

Mohafe was sacked last week after the club’s poor results. Kanalelo now takes over having previously been in charge of African Stars in his native Namibia.

He returns to a club where he spent eight years as a player, representing Mamelodi Sundowns from 1997 to 2005.

His first match in charge will be a difficult assignment against Orlando Pirates on Sunday, 20 September. The fixture will be played at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

The match represents an immediate test for Kanalelo as he attempts to improve a side currently rooted to the bottom of the table. It will also be his first game in charge since taking over from Mohafe.

Soccer Laduma contacted Marumo Gallants for comment on Kanalelo’s appointment but did not receive a response.