Soccer
Gallants to face Sundowns in Carling Knockout Cup semi-final─── MORGAN PIEK 08:37 Mon, 04 Nov 2024
“You can imagine what a morale booster it would be if you beat Sundowns, then you look at the finals and say, mmm, I can win the final. You get what I’m saying. So, it’s a good game to play if you win, you know?”
Marumo Gallants will face the Premier Soccer League champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, in the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup in Bloemfontein.
On Sunday, the Bloemfontein-based Gallants claimed a massive scalp by knocking the defending champions, Stellenbosch FC, out with a 1-0 at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.
The winning goal was scored with a stunning header by Siyabulela Shai in the 17th minute and against the run of play. While Stellies were the best team on the pitch for the majority of the first half, Gallants eventually found their rhythm with 10 minutes remaining in the opening stanza.
The defence effort was on song in the second half, making it very difficult for Maroons’ attack to threaten the goal.
The Gallants coach, Dan Malesela, told OFM Sport that they welcome facing the Brazilians, and should they beat the PSL champions at home it will be a big morale booster for his team, not only in Cup football. “We need to tread very carefully, but we need to play as well,” said Malesela.
“You know, because we want to win. I think the mentality would be wanting to win - you get into a Cup match, a Cup situation. You go to the last 16, you progress to the quarter-finals.
‘You continue fighting to go to the final.’
“You progress to the semi-finals, and then when you get to the semi-finals, anything can happen. Why didn’t you trouble yourself getting to the semi-finals? You fight. You fight. You continue fighting to go to the final.
“You can imagine what a morale booster it would be if you beat Sundowns, then you look at the finals and say, mmm, I can win the final. You get what I’m saying. So, it’s a good game to play if you win, you know?
“And you say, oh, now final, maybe it might be easier, or maybe difficult. But it will be a big, big morale booster, and maybe not only for the Cup match.”
The first semi-final will be played on Saturday with Richards Bay at home to Magesi FC, while Gallants will host Sundowns on Sunday. The PSL is yet to confirm the venues and kick-off times for the semi-finals.
Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed that the Carling Knockout final will be played at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein. This final in Bloemfontein will be played on 23 November.
