Marumo Gallants and Stellenbosch could not be separated in their DStv Premiership opener after playing to a goalless draw on Saturday afternoon.
Result: Marumo Gallants 0-0 Stellenbosch
Date: 06 August 2022
Venue: Peter Mokaba Stadium
Gallants gave new signing, former Mamelodi Sundowns midfielder Lucky Mohomi his debut and were without Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo in a familiar line-up while Stellies had several debutants, Nhlanhla Mgaga, Fawaaz Basadien, Sihle Nduli and Glen Hahn.
Steve Barker's charges almost had a perfect start after Devon Titus slipped Junior Mendieta through on goal in the box but Mendieta missed the target narrowly wide.
The visitors continued to impose their attacking game on Gallants, who mainly absorbed the pressure and Titus fancied his chances for Stellies on 25 minutes with a strike from range that missed wide.
Romain Folz's men struggled to get out of their own half despite the home crowd cheering them on while Stellies misused a number of opportunities from set-pieces, as the sides went into the halftime break without goals.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa had a bright start in the second stanza, as they played on the front foot but they could not carve out clear opportunities.
The sides needed fresh legs in attack around the hour-mark, as Judas Moseamedi replaced Hahn for Stellies and Celimpilo Ngema took the place of Monde Mphambaniso, in a tactical switch.
Moseamedi almost had an immediate impact after the latched onto a ball over the defence through on goal but he scooped his shot over the crossbar.
However, Gallants regained their momentum in the closing stages as Ngema was denied the breakthrough twice in quick succession by goalkeeper Sage Stephens.
The hosts continued to pressurize Stellies and Tshepo Gumede came close to stealing all the three points in the dying minutes with a header that missed agonisingly, as the sides shared the spoils.
Gallants: Arubi, Nkili, Gumede, Mabotja, Kumalo, Ramphela, Mphambaniso, Mohomi, Otladisa, Sibeko, Dion
Subs: Ngcobo, Hlatshwayo, Manaka, Ravhuhali, Khiba, Ngema, Makudubela, Molangoane, Koapeng.
Stellenbosch: Stephens, De Goede, Basadien, Mcaba, Van Rooyen, Mthethwa, Mendieta, Mgaga, Nduli, Han, Titus
Subs: Langeveldt, Adams, Weaver, Van Wyk, Moseamedi, Letsoenyo, Mngomezulu
