Gallants knocked out of Confed Cup, set to focus on survival

It would have been a good fairy tale like story to tell had Marumo Gallants made the final of the Caf Confederation Cup.

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Especially with them struggling in the domestic league where they stare relegation right in the face, but going all the way to the semifinals in the Confed Cup, which is considered more tougher and competitive.

But now the Limpopo side will have to put their full focus on saving their top flight status and forget about continental glory.

This is after they were knocked out by Young Africans who beat them 2-1 at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg on Wednesday evening.

The aggregate score was 4-1 as they also suffered a 2-0 loss away in Tanzania in the first leg.

Gallants started well and took the game to their visitors and created a few half chances. But with the clock ticking away, they began to try long range shots which were not so successful.

Celimpilo Ngema forced a big save off the Young Africans keeper in the 32nd minute with a well taken effort.

Five minutes later, things almost turned really bad for Gallants with Young Africans coming close to finding the first goal. Washington Arubi however made a good save to deny them.

Arubi was again on hand to bail his defence out as the visitors’ attackers piled more pressure.

The Zimbabwe born keeper was however beaten in the 45th minute when Fiston Mayele benefitted from a Gallants defensive blunder.

He ran through the defence and while Arubi made a save from the initial shot, the ball still went goal wards and Mayele pushed it into the net.

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Gallants made some changes at half time with Katlego Otladisa coming on and he changed the game and provided width down the right side.

He managed to swing some crosses in but the attackers could not connect.

Gallants had the ball in the back of the net in 58th minute, but it was ruled offside.

It had started with another of Otladisa’s crosses ended with Ranga Chivaviro heading it home, but he was ruled offside – rightly so.

But just as Gallants looked to be doing well, Young Africans scored a second. Mayele ran onto a long ball, passing Tshepo Gumede and set up Kennedy Musonda to easily tap in.

Gallants kept trying and found a consolation goal in added time through Chivaviro. It was obvious too little too late.