First-half Mhango strike wins it for Gallants

football15 March 2025 16:21| © Backpage TXT
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Marumo Gallants gave their survival bid a shot in the arm with a 1-0 victory over Cape Town City at the Athlone Stadium on Saturday.

Gabadinho Mhango's early goal settled the contest on the Cape Flats as Bahlabane Ba Ntwa recorded their first win in three games to climb up to 12th place in the Betway Premiership, one point behind the Citizens (10th).

Muhsin Ertugral's side were desperate to snap an eight-match winless streak, although they had picked up two points from their last two outings after drawing with TS Galaxy and Kaizer Chiefs.

Meanwhile, Gallants had suffered back-to-back defeats against Stellenbosch and Sekhukhune United most recently which left them second from bottom in the standings.

The visitors got off to a flying start, however, when Mhango found the back of the net after just seven minutes to register his fifth goal of the season.

City went on to boss proceedings in the first half as they pushed for an equaliser, managing seven shots at goal and testing Daniel Akpeyi on three occasions.

Jaedin Rhodes did well to beat his man after latching onto a ball over the top from Kamohelo Mokotjo on 11 minutes, but his shot lacked the power to beat Akpeyi.

The Nigerian goalkeeper had to be at his best to deny Aprocious Petrus from close range in the 34th minute, diverting his well-struck volley behind for a corner.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa took their narrow one-goal lead into the break and they seemed happy to sit back in the second half and absorb the pressure applied by the hosts.

Ertugral ended up using all five of his substitutes by the 80-minute mark, with Thabo Nodada, Emile Witbooi and Kayden Francis all introduced in the latter stages of the match.

But despite continuing to see the majority of the ball in the second 45 minutes, the Citizens weren't able to create any clear-cut chances and their winless streak extended to nine games.

Cape Town City: (0) 0

Marumo Gallants: (1) 1 (Mhango 7')

Cape Town City: D. Keet, S. Dondolo (K. Francis 80'), N. Idumba, L. Gordinho, A. Petrus, K. Mokotjo (T. Serero 60'), F. Makaringe (T. Nodada 76'), J. Rhodes, T. Goedeman, D. Gonzalez (E. Witbooi 80'), A. Soukouna (P. Tjiueza 60').

Marumo Gallants: D. Akpeyi, K. Ncube, M. Rikhotso, S. Sikhosana, L. Mabotja, D. Manaka, M. Nemtajela, D. Msendami, S. Sithole (S. Nhlapho 59'), J. Zindoga (J. Dion 82'), G. Mhango.