Marumo Gallants claimed a first win of the 2024-25 Betway Premiership season when they defeated AmaZulu FC 1-0 at the Free State Stadium on Saturday night.
Zimbabwean striker Daniel Msendami scored his first goal for the club to see Bahlabane Ba Ntwa rise to 14th place on three points, while Usuthu suffered a third defeat from as many league matches this season and have dropped to last spot on the log.
Gallants got off to a flying start and claimed the lead as early as the third minute, with Daniel Msendami driving past challenges in the penalty area toward the left by-line, before firing a low shot which beat AmaZulu goalkeeper Olwethu Mzimela at his near post.
AmaZulu took some time to find their attacking rhythm, but began to threaten an equaliser from the midway point of the first half, with Nigerian striker Etiosa Ighodaro looking particularly menacing thanks to his movement and physicality.
Yet Gallants remained a dangerous prospect and nearly doubled their advantage on 38 minutes when Lebogang Mabotja’s cross from the left picked out Sekela Sithole, but his header was well saved by Mzimela.
A goal down at the interval, Usuthu looked to refresh their attack with the introduction of Bonfiace Haba in place of Mondli Mabanjwa.
The visitors were inches away from an equaliser in the 57th minute, as Tshepnag Moremi cut inside from the left and fired a deflected effort from the edge of the penalty area which had the beating of Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi, but not the crossbar.
Just past the hour mark Moremi missed out on a great chance to draw his team level, opting for a misplaced square pass to try and find Ighodaro when he was faced with only Arubi to beat.
The Durban side had another promising moment on 86 minutes when substitute Sede Dion was able to get an improvised shot away from a tight angle, but his effort flashed wide of the target, leaving Gallants to secure a narrow triumph.
The teams will return to Betway Premiership action in just under a month’s time, with AmaZulu away to Orlando Pirates on October 25, and Gallants at home to TS Galaxy the following day.
Marumo Gallants (1) 1 (Msendami 3’)
AmaZulu FC 0
GALLANTS: Arubi, Molangoane, Sikhosana, Rikhotso, Mabotja, Manaka, Sithole (Mokobodi 64’), Mphambaniso (Mlambo 68’), Dhludhlu, Msendami (Nhlapo 85’), Shai (Khumalo 64’)
AMAZULU: Mzimela, Sikhakhane (Jooste 85’), Mobara, Fielies, Hanamub, Motshwari, Brooks (Sithole 76’), Ngema (Human 64’), Moremi (Dion 64’), Mbanjwa (Haba 46’), Ighodaro
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