Marumo Gallants returned to winning ways in their latest Betway Premiership assignment following a hard-fought 1-0 win against Cape Town City at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
As Gallants ended their four-match winless streak, City were unable to build on their victories against Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates after a 12th minute penalty by Edgar Manaka sank the Cape side in Bloemfontein.
Cape Town City were placed under immediate pressure during the opening stages of the game, with Gallants making their intentions known from the first whistle. Masindi Nemtajela produced the first attempt at goal in the fourth minute but saw his shot blocked inside the City 18-yard-area.
Gallants’ persistence in the final third paid off moments after their first attempt at goal and were awarded a penalty in the 11th minute after Gabadinho Mhango drew a foul inside the box. Manaka then assumed his position at the spot kick and gave his side the lead with a well taken right-footed shot.
The home side continued to dictate matters at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium midway through the first-half and came close to doubling their advantage in the 26th minute. After a swift move inside the City half, Masindi Nemtajela struck the bar following an effort from range.
City battled to get a grip of the game as the first 45 expired while the likes of Daniel Msendami and Kamohelo Mahlatsi created notable scoring chances for the hosts. Nevertheless, Gallants were unable to make the most of their scoring opportunities after taking the lead and headed into the break with a 1-0 advantage to their name.
The visitors looked to affect the scoreline soon after the restart as second-half substitute Hashim Domingo made his presence felt soon after being introduced to the fold. City held much of the ball during the opening exchanges of the new half as Gallants looked to hit the away side on the counter.
After making reinforcements from the bench, City bossed the possession count en-route to the hour-mark but struggled to make the most of their forward advances.
Prins Tjiueza proved to be the attacker-in-chief for City in the second-half, alongside Domingo, who often probed just outside the Gallants 18-yard-area. The Bloemfontein side continued to play under the cosh as the 75th minute approached and did little to trouble the City backline as a result.
In what was a rare chance for Gallants in the second-half, Mhango attempted to double his side’s lead with another long-range effort with 10 minutes left on the clock. Gallants then kicked into game-management mode with the hope of preserving their lead until the end of the tie.
Nevertheless, while City were unable to capitalise on their late pressure, Gallants saw out the game with their 1-0 lead intact.
Marumo Gallants: (1) 1 (Manaka 12’)
Cape Town City: (0) 0
MARUMO GALLANTS: Arubi, Khumalo, Mathiane, Sikhosana, Chabatsane, Nemtajela (Nange 88’), Manaka, Msendami (Sibiya 93’), Mphambaniso (Sithole 70’), Mahlatsi (Dhludhlu 70’), Mhango (Shai 87’)
CAPE TOWN CITY: Keet, Nyama (Dondolo 25’), Gordinho, Fasika, Mkhize (Fisher 58’), Rhodes (Domingo 46’), Nodada, Petrus, Gonzalez (April 58’), Tjiueza, Ahshene