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Marumo Gallants looking forward to their return to North Africa

CAF Confederation Cup quarter-finalists Marumo Gallants will return to North Africa as their continental football journey continues.

Gallants are set to travel to Egypt to face Pyramids in the first leg of the quarter-finals of the Confed Cup on Sunday, 23 April. They will host the Egyptians in the return leg seven days later.

Their recent trip to North Africa caused controversy after their two officials were held hostage for over three weeks. This was due to a dispute with a Libyan hotel owner Dr Ali Elzargha over payments.

It took the South African government to intervene for the pair to be released. With the club set to return to the region only a week after the ordeal was sorted, the club would not want to repeat the mess.

EGYPT AN EASY NORTH AFRICAN COUNTRY TO TRAVEL

“Yes, Pyramids is next but I can not verify [traveling arrangements]. But if things go according to plan we should be leaving on Thursday [20 April],” Interim coach Raymond Mdaka told the media.

Marumo Gallants looking forward to their North Africa trip
On-form Marumo Gallants striker Ranga Chivaviro

“We should be arriving on Friday and Saturday. You do your practice and on Sunday we play the match and come back.”

“Something worth noting is that there are no fears when you travel a distance [Egypt] that doesn’t connect.

“It also gives us a short period [to travel] other than when you go somewhere and there are no flights and you have to connect. It takes a lot of time and it’s tiring. Let me say so [Everything has been arranged properly].

HUGE INCENTIVES FOR MARUMO GALLANTS

As it stands Marumo Gallants are guaranteed R6,49 million for reaching the last eight. They stand a chance of extending their earnings to R8,3 million if they reach the semifinals.

The earnings could go as far as R11,59 million for being runners-up and they can pocket R23,18 million if they win the competition.

RELATED STORY: Marumo Gallants team manager shares experience after surviving Libya hostage  

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