Marumo Gallants hold off Siwelele to claim first Betway Premiership win

Marumo Gallants secured their first victory of the Betway Premiership season with a 3-2 win over Siwelele FC at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium.

Sihlali opened the scoring after five minutes, registering his first goal of the season by finishing a move for the home side. Gallants almost doubled their advantage when Ncube’s header forced a good save from February.

Siwelele equalised in the 25th minute through Makhuvele, who struck with power, but Gallants restored their lead eight minutes later. Ndlondlo volleyed home from close range after neat build-up play to put the hosts 2-1 ahead at half-time.

Gallants extended their advantage three minutes after the restart when Sihlali completed a swift counter-attack. Siwelele responded in the 55th minute, with substitute Pule making an immediate impact by scoring from a well-taken free-kick.

The visitors continued to see more of the ball in the closing stages, with Saile and Pule prominent in the final third, but Gallants held on during the final 10 minutes to claim all three points.

Siwelele finished with 59% possession and completed 506 passes to Gallants’ 347. However, the home side registered 20 shots to the visitors’ nine.

At half-time, possession had been more evenly shared, with Siwelele leading 51%-49%. Gallants had managed 11 attempts compared with Siwelele’s two, while the passing figures were 246 to 226 in the visitors’ favour.

Marumo Gallants started with Mlambo, Rikhotso, Ntiya-Ntiya, Motshoeneng, Manku, Ndlondlo, Pheeha, Sihlali, Moremi, Kunene and Ncube.

Siwelele’s starting line-up was February, Lupalule, Mfolozi, Sesane, Ndebele, Kobedi, Mokhachane, Makhuvele, Jeza, Mazibuko and Noge.

Before the match, Marumo Gallants and Richards Bay were the only sides yet to record a win this season.

Elsewhere during the weekend, Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs were due to put their unbeaten records on the line. Mandla Ncikazi was set to begin his reign as Golden Arrows coach against AmaZulu FC, while AmaZulu FC striker Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya led the Golden Boot standings with eight goals.

The remaining fixtures were Orlando Pirates v Kaizer Chiefs and Milford v Sekhukhune United at 15h30 on Saturday; Stellenbosch v Chippa United, AmaZulu FC v Golden Arrows and Polokwane City v TS Galaxy at 18h00; and Kruger United v Richards Bay and Mamelodi Sundowns v Durban City at 20h15.