WeeklySA_AdminFORM: French born coach Alexadre Lafitte’s Free State side to use the fixture as a dress rehearsal for the forthcoming Carling Cup date game against Orlando Pirates…
By Masoja Cele
Marumo Gallants’ Sunday’s Betway Premiership fixture against Magesi FC will be a dress rehearsal for their Carling Black Label Cup against Orlando Pirates the following weekend.
The Free State side is desperate for points and will go all out for a win against Magesi. They are fresh from a (1-1) draw against the in-form Sekhukhune United. The result advanced them from 13th to 11th on the log.
Under the leadership of French born coach Alexadre Lafitte, Marumo are emerging as one of the fearless teams in the PSL. Their forthcoming encounter against Pirates attests to their formidable forays.
Midfielder Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo has definitely improved his work rate since his return to the team from his short spell with Orlando Pirates. His form has been rewarded with a call-up to the preliminary squad for the Afcon tournament next month .
Daniel Msendami is fast proving to be a lethal attacker against any opposition. The Zimbabwean is gaining confidence with every game he plays, partnering superbly with Monde Mpambaniso. The duo’s partnership has been a thorn to the flesh of many defenders. In goals, Marumo has 40-year-old veteran Washington Arubi . The Zimbabwean is the number one glove man for his country’s national team.
Matches between Gallants and Magesi have always been thrilling. The teams were both based in Limpopo before Marumo Gallants relocated to the Free State.
Magesi would also want to win the match to improve their not-so-satisfactory position on the log. Presently, they are 14th on the log table from 12 games. On Wednesday they lost their league game 3-1 to Kaizer Chiefs
Midfielders Kabelo Mahlasela and Samuel Darpoh are expected to play a central role in this encounter.
Coach John Maduka will hope that his reliable goalkeeper Elvis Chipezeze regains his form that won him numerous man-of-the-match accolades during the 2024 Carling Black Label Cup campaign.
