Marumo Gallants began their new era in the DStv Premiership with a 2-0 defeat to fellow Limpopo rivals Baroka FC on Saturday evening.
DStv Premiership
Result: Baroka 2-0 Marumo Gallants
Date: 21 August 2021
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
New signings Train Mokhabi, Decide Chauke and Athenkosi Dlala were all given their debuts for Bakgakga, while Evidence Makgopa started upfront.
Gallants, who were known as Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila, handed a debut to Thato Khiba although fellow new signings Katlego Otladisa, Sibusiso Nkosi and Brendon Mokgope started on the bench.
It was Bakgaka who made the promising start when Manuel Kambala broke the deadlock after 17 minutes with his first league goal since that famous strike that denied Kaizer Chiefs the league title in the 2019/20 season.
The second goal arrived soon after as the reigning Young Player of the Season Makgopa opened his account for the campaign with a goal in the 27th minute for the hosts.
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Marumo were forced into a change before the break when Lehlohonolo Nonyane had to be stretchered off after an apparent throat injury, with Mpho Mvelase coming on as the replacement.
Coach Sebastien Migne opted for two more changes at the start of the second half, with Oltadisa coming on for his debut alongside Lebohang Mabotja.
The visitors did enjoy more of the possession in the second half as they went search of a first goal, but the Baroka defence were well drilled as they thwarted every attempt.
That was the trend for the remainder of the second half as Baroka held on for a clean sheet and three points, which also sees the side move top of the standings.
Here's how they started:
Baroka: 30. Masuluke, 3. Gebhardt, 6. Sibiya, 2. Mphahlele, 7. Mokhabi, 16. Dlala, 17. Kambala, 18. Shozi, 19. Chauke, 27. Makgopa, 9. Mbulu.
Subs: 1. Chipezeze, 4. Seema, 10. Phiri Jr, 11. Sithole, 12. Mgaga, 13. Malivha, 21. Masiya, 28. Monama, 33. Farmer.
Marumo: 36. Arubi, 4. Hlatshwayo, 19. Ravhuhali, 2. Nkili, 18. Nonyane, 10. Ngema, 20. Ndlondlo, 12. Khiba, 23. Mnyamane, 3. Manaka, 9. Matlakala.
Subs: 16. Ndlovu, 8. Nevhulamba, 24. Mvelase, 11. Otladisa, 37. Mokgope, 27. Nkosi, 21. Malongoane, 5. Mabotja.
