Gallants hope new signings can end wait for first Betway Premiership win

Marumo Gallants interim coach Trevor Mathiane says the arrival of new attacking options can help his side find greater cutting edge as they continue to search for their first Betway Premiership victory.

Gallants were beaten 1-0 by AmaZulu at Princess Magogo Stadium on Saturday, with Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya scoring the only goal of the match.

The forward has made an impressive start to the season, with seven goals in the league and nine across all competitions. His latest strike was enough to secure victory against Gallants.

Mathiane believes Ngwenya’s form highlights the importance of having a reliable goalscorer in the PSL, where he says proven strikers are difficult to find.

“The boy has been doing well and he scores in every game. The striker position has been our sickness in South Africa because you have to hustle for a striker in this league. Ngwenya is the kind of striker every coach will love to have in their team.”

Gallants have added Orlando Pirates players Daniel Msendami and Abdoulaye Mariko to their squad on season-long loans. The moves follow Bheki Mabuza’s permanent transfer in the opposite direction.

Mathiane expects the new arrivals to strengthen his attacking options and improve the team’s effectiveness in front of goal. Msendami and the other players who were unavailable for the defeat are due to join the team next week.

“I think we’ve been having a problem with our striking force, but some players are joining the team next week after being unavailable for this game. These players, like Msendami will boost the team going forward.”

The loss was Mathiane’s first game in charge since he was appointed interim coach after Marumo Gallants parted company with head coach Phuti Mohafe and assistant Musa Bilankulu.

The former defender, who is also the second assistant coach working with the club’s DStv Diski Challenge side, has been asked to steady the team while Gallants look for a permanent head coach.

Despite the defeat, Mathiane remains confident Gallants can claim their first win of the campaign as they seek to improve both their performances and results.