Marumo Gallants were made to work for their spot in the semifinals of the Nedbank Cup this weekend, following their 4-1 victory on penalties over Motsepe Foundation Championship outfit Durban City at the Chatsworth Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Gallants began the game on the front foot as the first chance of the match fell in the path of Junior Dion in the 3rd minute, who was unable to convert his chance. With Durban City playing on the back foot for much of the first quarter, the home side battled to progress the ball up field.
The pace of the match slowed down dramatically after the dust settled at the Chatsworth Stadium with neither side creating any notable scoring opportunities during the first 15 minutes.
Marumo Gallants are on their way to the #NedbankCup semi-finals ✅#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/3QqmPpSCsI
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 9, 2025
Gallants began turning the screws after the water break and created a couple of goal scoring chances midway through the first-half. Not sitting down, Durban City likewise searched for an opener but were often let down at the final hurdle. Nonetheless, the score remained at 0-0 at the break.
Menzi Ndwandwe came close to opening the scoring in the 50th minute after his free-kick on the edge of the area dipped onto the roof of the net. With Gallants momentarily stunned, the visitors regrouped and saw most of the ball during the early stages of the second-45.
Gallants continued to see most of the ball en-route to the hour-mark but lacked efficiency when it mattered most. However, Durban City often took the direct path in an attempt to open the scoring toward the end of the game as seen with Ruzaigh Gamaldien’s near attempt in the 87th minute.
The game was then forced into stoppage time after a 0-0 scoreline at the end of 90 minutes. Then, following a goalless 30-minute period, penalties were required to separate the two sides in Durban.
Nemtajela's penalty books Marumo Gallants a spot in the #NedbankCup semi-final 😤🟢#SSDiski pic.twitter.com/VYtxJCyTak
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) March 9, 2025
Nonetheless, misses by Durban City duo Saziso Magawana and Athini Jodwana proved to be the difference in the shootout as Gallants marched to a 4-1 win from the spot kicks.
Durban City: (0) 0
Marumo Gallants: (0) 0
Durban City: Mtshali, Nzuza, Ndlovu, Slawula, Phewa (Gamaldien 58’), Zondi (Jodwana 108’), Bakah (Nene 88’), Hlangabeza, Gaxa (Maseko 58’), Ndwandwe (Kamatuka 64’), Nkosi (Magawana 58’)
Marumo Gallants: Mlambo, Mabotja (Mphambaniso 70’), Sikhosana, Rikhotso, Ncube (Nhlapo 82’), Nemtajela, Manaka, Zindoga (Prins 82’), Mokobodi (Chabatsane 70’), Msendami (Sithole 103’), Junior Dion (Mhango 58’)