The Betway Premier Soccer League (PSL) local football derby between the Marumo Gallants and Siwelele FC on Saturday 18 April is a high-stakes fixture with significant implications for both sides, despite contrasting positions in the league table. They will face off for the second time at Bloemfontein’s football mega venue – the Dr R.P. Molemela Stadium. Kick-off is at 15:00.
Both teams are under immense pressure for improved performances, and desperate for a win to consolidate their standings on the league table.
Siwelele is just three points shy of reaching the 30-point threshold mark, which is considered safe to avoid relegation in the 16-team league competition. The Lehloholono Seema-led team now boasts 27 points in position 10 on the log while the Gallants remain on a knife-edge, sitting in position 14 with 19 points.
The Siwelele lads gave away a quality chance to improve their position when they drew 1 – 1 with the AmaZulu FC in a league match played on Saturday 11 April in Bloemfontein. The local boys went to sleep at the death of the game, allowing the visitors to equalise.
“The derby itself is a motivation for the players, and it’s going to be a complete ball game considering we are also fighting to avoid relegation, despite our current position on the log. We are desperate for maximum points as Marumo,” said Seema, head coach of Siwelele.
He expressed satisfaction with the team’s progress thus far this season.
“We have surpassed the 26-point mark which the team achieved at the end of last season; we are continuing the fight to retain our status,” said Seema.
In the first derby, Siwelele claimed the bragging rights after a 1 – 0 win over their counterparts in a poorly attended match. The return leg of the derby offers the Gallants a chance to settle the score and ease their relegation fears. Both sides have battled inconsistency, which saw them give away points in winnable matches.
As things stand, the Gallants are under immense pressure to improve their situation. As part of their strategy, they had rested several players in a league fixture that ended goalless against Orbit College last Sunday.
