Dan Malesela will be absent from the dugout once more when Marumo Gallants take on Sekhukhune United at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in their final match of 2024 on Saturday.
Kick-off is at 3.30pm CAT (SA, GMT+2)
CURRENT FORM
Malesela was placed on special leave earlier this month to attend to "urgent family matters" and the club subsequently appointed former Casric Stars head coach Sundra Govender as one of his assistants.
Govender took charge of the team alongside fellow assistant coach Duncan Lechesa for the heavy 8-1 demolition at the hands of Orlando Pirates on 24 December and the duo will also oversee the trip to Polokwane this weekend.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa had given themselves some breathing space to the relegation zone after picking up back-to-back wins against SuperSport United (1-0) and Magesi (3-1) which lifted them up to 12th place.
But the disappointing result against the Buccaneers was their second successive defeat and they are just two points clear of Richards Bay (15th) with a game in hand.
Govender admits he's not looking to tear up the play book following his arrival at Gallants, although there are rumours that he could replace Malesela after winning just three matches in 2024-25 since their promotion.
🏟️Next Match⚽
— MARUMO GALLANTS FC (@_Marumogallants) December 26, 2024
🆚 Sekhukhune United F.C
📍 Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane
🗓️ Saturday, 28 December 2024
⏰ Kick-off: 17:30
SIWELELE MARUMOOOO💚 Let’s show our love and pride for the boys!#gallantsalltheway #siwelelesamarumo #PSL #NextMatch #trendingreelsvideo pic.twitter.com/gTQBdzdXdh
Babina Noko were last in action three weeks ago when they beat Cape Town City 1-0 on 7 December to arrest a two-match losing streak.
Lehlohonolo Seema's side have up to three games in hand on some of the teams around them in the table and the win over the Citizens kept them in the top eight, one point ahead of Kaizer Chiefs (9th).
However, the Limpopo outfit will be looking to end the year on a high after losing three of their last five Betway Premiership outings as they go in search of only their second-ever victory against Gallants.
WHAT WAS SAID
Marumo Gallants assistant coach Sundra Govender
"In pre-season I wasn't with the club. We were communicating and I was the head coach of Casric Stars - so I made it clear to the management of Marumo that I had taken on the Casric project. But as time went on things changed, and now this is where I feel I should be.
"The one thing you don't want to do too quickly is change things. The only thing we worked on was getting forward quicker. But in football there will always be an inquest into every [bad] result - there will always be speculation."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sekhukhune United - Keletso Makgalwa was the standout performer against City and took his chance from the penalty spot on the hour mark to open his account for the season. The 27-year-old winger was a constant threat on the left flank and can count himself unfortunate not to have picked up an assist too after delivering delightful crosses for Sipho Mbule and Linda Mntambo in the second half.
Marumo Gallants - Washington Arubi had a nightmare performance against Pirates, although he was hardly helped by his defence as the hosts tore through them in the second half. The 39-year-old goalkeeper should have done better for at least five of the Sea Robbers' eight goals and he's kept just two clean sheets this season in eight matches.
HEAD-TO HEAD (Previous Betway Premiership Meetings)
Matches - 4
Sekhukhune wins - 1
Gallants wins - 2
Draws - 1