Premier Soccer League

Marumo Gallants 1-0 Stellenbosch

Marumo began the game by bossing possession but it was Stellies who had the first chance. Marc van Heerden played a pass for Ashley du Preez, who was thwarted by the goalkeeper and it came back to Van Heerden, whose effort was saved by the keeper.

Marumo continued to have more of the ball, while Stellies were looking threatening on the counter-attack.

In the 19th minute, Juan Carlos Ortiz had a shot blocked and it came back to him before he skipped past his marker but kicked thin air to spurn a glorious opportunity.

Ortiz was once again wasteful on the half-hour mark. The ball was won back by Stellies on the Marumo byline and Junior Mendieta squared it into the box but his fellow South American teammate Ortiz shot wide of the post.

Ortiz was in the thick of the action and gave away a penalty five minutes before half-time when he nudged Celimpilo Ngema in the box. Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo stepped up and sent the goalkeeper the wrong way to break the deadlock.

Ngema then threatened again five minutes after the break when his fine free-kick forced Sage Stephens into making a fine save.

Stellies then had a shot by Stanley Dimgba blocked and it fell to Jabaar who skied his shot from distance into the stands.

Jabaar did better with the next opportunity. The ball was won back by Stellies off Miguel Timm and Jabaar struck a powerful low shot which King Ndlovu saved well.

Gallants almost put the game to bed with three minutes of regular time remaining when Ndlondlo raced onto a long ball over the top but he could only hit the near post side netting.

However, it mattered not as Gallants were able to see out the game and come away with another win.

Here’s how they lined up:

Gallants: 16. Ndlovu, 2. Nkili, 24. Mvelase, 5. Mabotja, 18. Nonyane, 6. Timm, 11. Otladisa, 10. Ngema, 20. Ndlondlo, 21. Molangoane, 33. Dion

Subs: 36. Arubi, 44. Nhlapo, 14. Lamola, 29. Gumede, 23. Mnyamane, 15. Mphambaniso, 50. Sibeko, 30. Kumalo, 12. Khiba.

Stellenbosch: 17. Stephens, 24. Kwinika, 26. Mcaba, 8. Van Heerden, 7. Van Rooyen, 6. Mthethwa, 27. Jabaar, 9. Du Preez, 10. Mendieta, 15. Ortiz, 13. Dimgba.

Subs: 32. Bombay, 4. De Goede, 21. Isaacs, 29. Van Wyk, 12. Scott, 3. Letsoenyo, 25. Moseamedi, 23. Adams, 11. Khunyedi.