The Marumo Gallants are benchmarking their performance during the Carling Knockout Cup to improve their status in the Betway Premiership. Their sterling form in the former saw them reach the semifinal – much to the delight of head coach, Dan “Dance” Malesela.
After a two-week break due to international Fifa competitions, the Bahlabane Ba Ntwa players will return to the league campaign on 29 November, taking on Super Sport United. Gallants is among the five teams fighting to move out of the danger zone of the league.
Malesela expressed his satisfaction with the team’s steady improvement beyond the tournament.
“What is pleasing, is the progress we seem to be making. Slowly but surely, the players are having a different approach. I am quite grateful to the players for how they are responding to coaching, the energy they put in the game, even though it is not a finished product yet,” said Malesela.
His optimism towards the team continuing to improve its position in the league is further informed by the performance against Stellenbosch in a league match, despite losing 0 – 1. The Gallants conceded a goal at the end of the league fixture.
The lads return to the league campaign, hunting for their second win to complement the 1 – 0 victory on homeground against AmaZulu. This time they will be visiting their opponents in Pretoria. Victory against Super Sport will see the team ascend the log table. At this stage, even a draw would be acceptable for Malesela and his company.
The other teams fighting to improve their position are Cape Town City FC and Richards Bay FC, who are both tied on the log at five points; along with AmaZulu FC and TS Galaxy FC, at three and two points, respectively.
The Bahlabane Ba Ntwa boasts four points in the bag from six league matches played thus far.
Super Sport are currently in position seven with eight points. They have won two games, played to a draw during two matches, and lost three. Under their current coach, Gavin Hunt, Super Sport are also improving after a bad start to the league championship.
Meanwhile, Marumo confirmed that their home league fixture against Orlando Pirates, initially set for 3 December, has been postponed. The new date will be announced.
