Marumo Gallants have defeated USM Alger 2-0 in a CAF Confederation Cup group stage clash at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Wednesday afternoon.
The victory puts the South African side in good stead to advance to the knockout phase ahead of their last two games in Group A.
Both sides were unable to find the breakthrough in the first five minutes of the showdown.
LESIBA NKU BREAKS THE DEADLOCK
However, the game opened up as the first half began to shape up with Raymond Mdaka’s troops breaking the deadlock through Lesiba Nku in the seventh minute.
The visitors tried by all means to pull one back, making the contest for good viewing for spectators in the stands.
But, Bahlabane ba Ntwa did not sit back and watch their opponents do as they please on their own turf.
Gallants regained their momentum back and began to move through the gears in the final minutes of the first period.
Despite heavy pressure from the hosts, the match remained at 1-0 when the half-time whistle blew.
In the second stanza, one team wanted to sit back; the other wanted to play.
But, the unfazed Alger were keen to test the Gallants’ defence in the opening moments of the half, but luck was never on their side.
The home side struggled to make many inroads and to move the ball around with any type of conviction as the second half progressed.
Nonetheless, Mdaka’s troops were determined to put the game to bed before their opponents could bounce back.
LETSIE KOAPENG ADDS TO THE SCORELINE
In the 74th minute, Letsie Koapeng added to the scoreline to make it 2-0 in favour of Gallants.
Alger’s inability to finish any of their countless clear-cut chances was near-comedic and ultimately costly.
The result leaves Gallants top of Group A with 9 points, two points ahead of second-placed Alger.
The final whistle blew with the hosts claiming an act of sweet revenge following a 2-0 defeat to Alger a week ago in Algeria.
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