Marumo Gallants may be facing relegation in the PSL but let us put our football allegiances aside and acknowledge that they are playing well and flying the SA flag high in Africa.
When Marumo Gallants Kicked off in their group stage opener of the CAF Confederation Cup back in February, very few would have predicted that they’d still be crushing it in Africa’s secondary club tournament.
With six games played so far, Gallants sit atop Group A with 12 points, and have given a good enough account of themselves to suggest that they might actually go all the way. They have the best attack in the tournament with 12 goals scored.
In their latest outing, the Limpopo-based side travelled to the 30 June Stadium in Egypt where they frustrated their hosts, Pyramids FC in what was a guaranteed home victory in the first-leg of this quarter-final clash.
Pyramids came into this game at the back of a two-match winning streak in the Egyptian premier league, and sat in third position on the table behind Al Ahly and Future FC.
Pyramids are one of the big spenders in Egypt with have a rich history in this Confederation Cup, having reached the semi-finals of the competition in the last three seasons, and lost to RS Berkane of Morocco in the 2019-20 final.
✅ 3-2 Saint Eloi Lupopo
— iDiski Times (@iDiskiTimes) April 24, 2023
✅ 3-1 Royal AM
🔁 1-1 Kaizer Chiefs
✅ 3-1 Chippa United
🔁 0-0 SuperSport
🔁 1-1 Pyramids
Marumo Gallants played 6 games in their last 22 days, while traveling the continent, and lost 𝗡𝗢𝗡𝗘 of them.
Kudos to @legend3 & Raymond Mdaka 👏 pic.twitter.com/Oc737LlXmu
They would have come into this clash as clear favourites to win, with Gallants making it to the last eight only for the first time. But Gallants exceeded everyone’s expectations and relished their underdog status to fly the South African flag high.
The big milestone here is that the draw against the Egyptian giants left Gallants in a good position to progress to the semi-finals of the tournament, albeit during a dismal season for them.
And while they’ve enjoyed a purple patch on the continent, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have been having a challenging season in the DStv Premiership, where they are facing relegation right in the face.
They have three league games remaining, with one of those against the champions-elect, Mamelodi Sundowns at home.
But I feel that this is something to celebrate by Gallants and their fans – for playing Africa is not at all easy, let alone qualifying.
With an away goal advantage, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa will need a goalless draw now to progress to the semi-final, but Kerr would be well-aware of the hard work still required as the Egyptians will still be a threat.
The Limpopo side boast an unbeaten record at home in the Confederation Cup, having recorded seven wins and one draw from eight matches as the hosts.
The winner of the tie will take on either Rivers United of Nigeria or Young Africans in the semifinals next month. Yanga, as the Tanzanian giants are also known as, enjoy a huge advantage after 2-0 away victory.
