Sekhukhune United signed off for the year on a positive note after they edged Marumo Gallants 1-0 in the pouring rain at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday.
Keletso Makgalwa's 67th-minute goal settled the contest in Polokwane as Babina Noko moved up to fourth place in the Betway Premiership standings, one point above Stellenbosch ahead of their clash with SuperSport United later on in the evening.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa remain in 12th position, still two points clear of the danger zone after losing for the fourth time in six games.
Sekhukhune Utd move up to fourth on the table for now ✅🟢
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 28, 2024
SuperSport Utd and Stellenbosch are up next with kick-off at 20:00 (CAT) ⏭️
📺 Stream #BetwayPrem on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQWD1K pic.twitter.com/JxCMuLNOch
All four of the previous top-flight encounters between the two teams delivered goals, with Sekhukhune running out 3-2 victors in the corresponding fixture two seasons ago, which was their last meeting.
Lehlohonolo Seema's side were looking to close out the year with back-to-back wins after they beat Cape Town City 1-0 on 7 December, while Gallants sought to snap a two-match losing streak and put the disappointment of the 8-1 demolition they suffered at the hands of Orlando Pirates on 24 December behind them.
The hosts enjoyed the lion's share of the possession in the first half, but they failed to really test Washington Arubi, who had a nightmare game against the Buccaneers four days earlier.
Makgalwa sent in an inviting cross that just eluded Andy Boyeli on four minutes and the winger squandered a chance to put the opposition defence under pressure when his poor free-kick was easily cleared in the 24th minute.
SUPER SUB MNTAMBO
With the rain not easing up in the second half, both coaches eventually turned to their respective benches on 65 minutes. Seema brought on Linda Mntambo and Chibuike Ohizu, while Thapelo Mokobodi, Kamohelo Mahlatsi and Mlungisi Khumalo entered the field of play for the visitors.
Mntambo would make an immediate impact as he set up Makgalwa to open the scoring just two minutes later, registering his second goal of the season.
Gallants were unable to find a reply in the final 23 minutes as they slipped to a third straight defeat - not the start they had hoped for under Duncan Lechesa and Sundra Govender, with Dan Malesela still away on special leave.
Sekhukhune United (0) 1 (Makgalwa 67')
Marumo Gallants 0
Sekhukhune United: B. Sangare, K. Mkhabela, T. Yamba, D. Cardoso, V. Letlapa, T. Monare, S. Mkhize, K. Makgalwa (R. Mokhuoane 82'), S. Mbule (L. Mntambo 65'), T. Mokoane (L. Kapinga 86'), A. Boyeli (C. Ohizu 65').
Marumo Gallants: W. Arubi, E. Khumalo, K. Nthatheni, S. Sikhosana, M. Chabatsane (L. Mabotja 77'), T. Dhludhlu, M. Nemtajela, D. Manaka, M. Mphambaniso (T. Mokobodi 64'), R. Prins (K. Mahlatsi 65'), G. Mhango (M. Khumalo 65').