Ertugral anticipates taxing Bloemfontein trip against Gallants

Cape Town City temporary coach Muhsin Ertugral is sweating over his team’s energy levels ahead of their trip to Bloemfontein when they face Marumo Gallants at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Kick-off is at 3:30pm (CAT, GMT+2)

CURRENT FORM

The sun has been shining on Cape Town City since the turn of the year after bagging crucial victories over Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates in their last two league encounters.

City entered 2025 with a massive change to their coaching department after Eric Tinkler was relieved of his duties toward the end of December 2024.

While the Citizens struggled with inconsistent form for much of the 2024/25 season, their double victory against the Soweto giants saw them move up to sixth position on the table.

Gallants on the other hand are without a win in each of their last four Betway Premiership fixtures.

The Bloemfontein outfit recorded a 0-0 draw with Richards Bay in their most recent league game, which came off the back of three consecutive losses against Polokwane City, Orlando Pirates and Sekhukhune United respectively.

As it stands, Gallants head into their next league assignment sitting in 13th place, with 11 points to their name after 12 matches played.

WHAT WAS SAID

In what was news that made headlines in South African football recently, Marumo Gallants Technical Director Molefi Ntseki recently revealed that the club is working hard to settle their debt that led to their Fifa ban and that they could strengthen the team in January.

"The Fifa ban when it comes to the window opening now, it doesn't stop the team from reinforcing and from engaging other clubs or looking into other players so that we can reinforce the team going forward,” Ntseki said.

“So, when it comes to the Fifa ban, the Fifa ban is always dependent on how long it's gonna take you to pay the money that is required to be paid and then obviously you'll be allowed to register players.

“So, what is currently happening, we are looking how best we can reinforce the team should we get done with the Fifa ban then already we have a technical plan in place."

As for Ertugral and his charges, the former Kaizer Chiefs coach feels that City could face issues of fatigue in their trip to Bloemfontein.

“You can win these two games, and we’re going to have a problem [in the weekend],” Ertugral said.

“Oh, you can’t have it so obviously, yeah, I know this is one of our biggest problem, the consistency, the linear in that we need to call up now a little bit more, the automatism, the pattern you know that with automatism is routine comes then that you come in the game.

“So, we know that. I know that very well, as I said, Yeah, we need to talk about that. But we have also, the team is a bit tired, because they really played out of the, so we need to see now, tomorrow and on Friday, because we’re flying on Friday, there’s only one flight very early, five o’clock or six o’clock, I think so, very early, out to Bloemfontein.

“So, we need to find measures how they going to rest the team out. This is high altitude there, if I’m not mistaken, as well heat. So, that’s exactly what you’re saying. We need to see how we can get the best out of the boys. Yeah, I agree that we face tonight.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Marumo Gallants: Gabadinho Mhango – With Gallants struggling in front of goal this season, the Malawian star remains one of the most lethal attackers in the PSL currently. Given his experience, Mhango will no doubt be looked at as the player to produce the goods in high pressure situations.

Cape Town City: Darwin Gonzales – the Venezuelan is arguably the most in form player at City at the moment following his displays against Pirates and Chiefs. Leading City’s resurgence, Gonzalez will be licking his lips in facing a Gallants defence that has been leaking goals in recent fixtures.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Last four league results

2021/22 Marumo Gallants 0-0 Cape Town City

2021/22 Cape Town City 1-0 Marumo Gallants

2022/23 Marumo Gallants 2-1 Cape Town City

2022/23 Cape Town City 2-2 Marumo Gallants