Marumo Gallants head Coach, Mpho Maleka
By: Refilwe Sebola
National First Division side Marumo Gallants head coach Mpho Maleka says his team is playing good football but missing chances.
Maleka was reacting to their recent two consecutive league loses to Casric Stars and JDR Stars away from home. They lost 2-1 away to Casric and 1-0 to JDR. The CAF B license coaching certificate holder rejoined his former team this year with the aim of saving them from relegation.
He replaced English man Steven Polack who did not have a good run with the club. So far Maleka and his assistant Rodney Thobejane have played only six games won one and drew one. Their only victory was a 1-0 home game against Venda FC in February while they drew 1-1 away to Upington City.
They lost 2-0 at home to high riding Magezi and 1-0 away to Pretoria Callies playing with 10 men after their international strikers Cyrille N’Guessan from Côte d’Ivoire and Itumeleng Shopane were respectively red carded in the two games. The only games they lost with no red cards involved were home games against Casric (2-1) and JDR Stars (1-0). “Bahlabani ba Tumelo” are currently on the bottom of the table with 20 points from 23 games.
Their chances of survival are very high considering the fact that they are only 3 to 5 points adrift of the four teams above them. Should they start winning games they will easily move out of the relegation quagmire.
Their next game is on Tuesday 16 April against second bottom side Milford away in Princess Magogo Stadium.