Marumo Gallants confident Orlando Pirates can spark Betway Premiership revival

Marumo Gallants believe Sunday’s home match against Betway Premiership champions Orlando Pirates can mark the beginning of a revival after a difficult start to the season.

Gallants are bottom of the table after four defeats and two draws, but assistant coach Sundra Govinder says the squad is confident of claiming its first victory of the campaign.

The club has reason to feel encouraged by its recent record against Orlando Pirates, having beaten the Buccaneers twice in the Betway Premiership last year.

The arrival of new head coach Ronnie Kanalelo has also lifted the mood at the club. Kanalelo, a Namibian and former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper, was appointed after Gallants parted company with Phuti Mohafe last week, just two months after he took charge.

“Today is our third day of training in preparation for Orlando Pirates. You can see the spirit is high since yesterday, the day before with the players obviously introducing the new coach as well, you know, it’s giving a lot of energy,” Govinder said.

The assistant coach believes the team is well prepared in every area ahead of the encounter.

“We are always lucky against them when it comes to the results. If you look at it, we’ve been successful in the past few results against Pirates.

“So, I think mentally our players are ready, physically, we are prepared and tactically obviously we have to be on point. So, the preparation going forward to this game is looking good. The players are ready and excited about this match.”

Sunday’s fixture will be Gallants’ final game before the FIFA international window. Govinder hopes a positive result will provide momentum for the club’s next five matches when domestic action resumes in October.

He also called on supporters to attend the match and back the team as it attempts to move away from the bottom of the standings.

“What’s most important for us is, this match will be preparation for the next five where we need results as well. For our fans please rally behind us, this is going to be the beginning of good things,” he added.

“Again, victory after Pirates as in previous seasons, we won five six games after that. So, this will be the repetition but we need you, the 12th and the 13th man, that’s you, we need you at the game. Thank you and see you on Sunday at the match.”