Gallants shock Galaxy and boost survival hopes, Polokwane City end seven game winless run

Marumo Gallants boosted their chances of survival as they shocked TS Galaxy 2-1 at the Mbombela Stadium on Sunday. 

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa stretched the gap between themselves and the relegation zone to three points after making it back to back wins and jumped to 12th on the Betway Premiership standings. 

The Rockets’ CAF hopes took a huge knock, as well as the loss, a seventh of the season saw them fail to overtake third-placed Stellenbosch, whom they’re level with on 35 points, having played two more games. 

The encounter got off to a quick start with a goal scored in the first two minutes with the visitors finding the back of the net after a mistake in the build up for Galaxy. 

Midfielder Masindu Nemtajela came into life to intercept a pass before bursting into the box. After his initial effort was saved, he was fortunate to see the ball land at his feet again, and he poked home for Gallants. 

Seems like the new Marumo Gallants coach is cooking.

— Sthape. (@Thapelo_SM) March 30, 2025

The opening half unsurprisingly saw the hosts grab the initiative, having fallen behind early, but they struggled to turn that dominance into any clear goal-scoring chances. 

In fact, it was Gallants who almost doubled their advantage against the run of play in the 35th minute.

Galaxy coach Adnan Beganovic cut a frustrated figure at the half-time break, with Gallants creating the better chances with limited possession. 

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa then poured salt on the wound when Daniel Msendami doubled their lead in the 56th minute and strengthened their hand in the match. 

The Zimbabwean-born forward arrived late into the box and latched onto a Khumalo layoff before thumping the ball past the helpless goalkeeper and into the roof of the net. 

However, Galaxy second-half substitute Victor Letsoalo was determined not to let his side slump to a loss as he pulled one back in the 67th minute. 

The experienced striker received a Puso Dithejane threaded ball before finishing on the turn and revived the hope of the hosts. 

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, Polokwane City ended their seven-game winless run by beating Richards Bay 3-1  at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. 

Rise and Shine remained sixth on the log but revived their CAF Confederation Cup qualification ambitions as they came within a point of Stellenbosch FC in third. 

The Natal Rich Boys, on the other hand, could not build their gap between themselves and the relegation zone and remain a part of the bottom, battling to survive.