Defending champions Marumo Gallants advanced to the Nedbank Cup semi-finals with a 1-0 win over Limpopo rivals Baroka FC on Saturday afternoon.
Result: Marumo Gallants 1-0 Baroka
Date: 09 April 2022
Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Elvis Chipezeze was brought back into the Baroka line-up after the loss to AmaZulu, while Mpho Mvelase and Sibusiso Kumalo were also handed recalls for Gallants.
With both sides coming into the clash in some poor form, the game got off a lively affair as both Baroka and Gallants looked to settle in.
The visitors were then dealt a blow on 20 minutes after Andy Mehlape suffered a knee injury, which forced Kgoloko Thobejane to throw on Bayzel Goldstone.
Baroka managed to carve out an opening after 25 minutes when Mashweu Mphalele's cross found Sipho Maluleke in the box, but the midfielder's header sailed straight into Chipezeze's arms.
Gallants coach Dan Malesela was certainly not pleased with what was on display by his side and opted to make a change five minutes before the break as Sbusiso Kumalo was withdrawn for Monde Mphambaniso.
The defending champions came out firing in the second half and nearly got the breakthrough on 62 minutes when Dion's powerful header crashed against the upright.
Baroka should have taken the lead 10 minutes later when Evidence Makgopa got to the byline before picking out an un-marked Mphalele, who failed to steer his header on target with only King Ndlovu to beat.
The visitors were made to pay for that miss as Gallants took the lead in the 79th minute when Dion nodded home a cross from Mphambaniso.
Gallants: 16. Ndlovu, 2. Nkili, 24. Mvelase, 5. Mabotja, 18. Nonyane, 6. Timm, 14. Lamola, 11. Otladisa, 30. Kumalo, 20. Ndlondlo, 21. Molangoane.
Subs: 36. Arubi, 33. Dion, 32. Makudebla, 29. Gumede, 15. Mphambaniso, 23. Mnyamane, 50. Sibeko, 10. Ngema, 12. Khiba
Baroka: 1. Chipezeze, 2. Mhphahele, 5. Makume, 6. Sibiya, 36. Gkositile, 40. Mehlape, 29. Bobete, 21. Masiya, 38. Bombi, 38. Maluleke, 24. Ndlovu
Subs: 30. Masuluke, 9. Mbulu, 3. Junior, 8. Goldstone, 28. Monama, 18. Shozi, 27. Makgopa, 19. Chauke, 34. Nguse.
