On Friday night (7/2), AmaZulu scored on either side of halftime at the Moses Mabhida Stadium to beat Gallants 2-0 and claim the three valuable points on offer.

The victory for Usuthu shot them up to sixth on the log, despite being the wooden spooners at one stage earlier in the season. The deadlock was broken in the 42nd minute when Rowan Human opened the scoring to hand his team a 1-0 lead at the halftime break.

The home team doubled their lead 15 minutes into the second stanza when former Bloemfontein Celtic and Orlando Pirates midfielder Wayde Jooste found the back of the net.

AmaZulu vs. Marumo Gallants. Photo: X

Earlier in the week, a ten-man Richards Bay shocked Gallants with a late 2-1 victory at the King Zwelithini Stadium. Gallants appeared to have the game in the bag, leading 1-0 with just four minutes of regulation time remaining. Gallants had opened the scoring in the 51st minute when Christopher Sithole put the visitors ahead.

With four minutes left, Justice Figuareido equalised for the relegation-threatened Richards Bay. Just two minutes later, there was drama as Ntlonelo Bomelo scored the late winner for the hosts.

‘The two defeats spell trouble for Gallant’

Gallants will have a chance for redemption next week Saturday when they face AmaZulu again. This time it will be in the Round of 16 of the Nedbank Cup, and this match will be played at home at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein.

The two defeats spell trouble for Gallants, who are hovering close to the relegation zone in 13th position on 15 points, just two clear of Richards Bay in 14th. As it stands, Royal AM and Magesi FC are in the relegation zone, both sitting on eight points. However, Royal AM have up to five games in hand on other teams due to recent postponements. That is a potential 15 points for Royal AM, should they get the green light to resume competing.

Rowan Human (right). Photo: X

It is widely believed Gallants have purchased the name and trademark of Bloemfontein Celtic to compete in the PSL as Phunya Sele Sele from next season. However, should Gallants get relegated in their first season back in the PSL, it could jeopardise the idea of a Bloemfontein Celtic return. The club has denied buying the naming rights.

Meanwhile, in Friday’s other game, Kaizer Chiefs beat Stellenbosch FC 1-0 at the Athlone Stadium in Cape Town. On Saturday at 15:30, Mamelodi Sundowns will face Orlando Pirates at Loftus Versfeld in a top-of-the-table clash. At the same time, Magesi FC will face Cape Town City in Polokwane.

At 20:00, TS Galaxy will host Chippa United at the Mbombela Stadium, while Richards Bay will entertain Polokwane City in Durban. In Sunday's only game, Sekhukhune United will face SuperSport United in Polokwane. The match between Golden Arrows and Royal AM has been postponed.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek dg