Marumo Gallants claimed a 1-0 victory over their Limpopo rivals Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila in a Nedbank Cup semifinal match at the Thohoyandou Stadium in Limpopo on Friday night.
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Therefore, the defending champions progressed to the final where they will take on the winner between Mamelodi Sundowns or Royal AM next month, while Vhadau Vha Damani crashed out of the South African FA Cup.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa started the match brightly with most of their attacks coming through the wings and they threatened through Joseph Molangoane, who placed his shot wide of the target while unmarked in Vhadau Vha Damani's box.
Dan Malesela will be making a second appearance in the #NedbankCup final following a narrow 1-0 win courtesy of Thato Khiba’s deflected cross in the semifinal against TTM. pic.twitter.com/fMFOiztwid
— SuperSport ?? (@SuperSportTV) April 29, 2022
However, Gallants suffered a big blow as their star striker, Junior Sede Dion, who has scored three goals from three games in this season's Nedbank Cup, picked up an injury and he had to be replaced Lerato Lamola in the 17th minute.
Tshakhuma finished the first half the stronger of the two teams with Rendani Ndou forcing goalkeeper King Ndlovu into a low save with a header, before Rhulani Manzini hit the crossbar with a fierce shot from a free-kick.
The score was 0-0 during the half-time break with the GladAfrica Championship side having created the better chances compared to Gallants.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa controlled the game after the restart as they played their usual enterprising football under coach Dan Malesela.
Gallants took a 1-0 lead when Luvolwethu Mpeta netted an own-goal from Thato Khiba's cross in the 64th minute.
Coach Lucky Nelukau reacted by making a double substitution as the outspoken tactician introduced Tshepo Matete and Tlou Masegela with Tshakhuma looking to level matters and then push for the winning goal.
Gallants winger Katlego Otladisa was shown a straight red card for dissent with eight minutes left on the clock, but Bahlabane Ba Ntwa were not reduced to 10 players as the former Mamelodi Sundowns player had already been substituted.
Tshakhuma launched attacks in the closing stages of the encounter, but the visitors' defence stood firm and ultimately Gallants emerged as 1-0 winners on the night.
Tshakhuma 0
Gallants 1 (Mpeta 64')
Tshakhuma: Kock, Netshilindi, Mpeta, Motloung, Mlangeni (Amoojee 46'), Muyambo (Dolamo 73'), Alabi, Motebejane (Matete 68'), Ngwepe, Ndou (Masegela 68'), Manzini.
Gallants: Ndlovu, Gumede, Khiba, Mabotja, Nonyane, Timm, Dion, Otladisa (Kumalo 81'), Ngema, Ndlondlo, Molangoane, Dion (Lamola 17' Makudubela 90'+2).