Marumo Gallants secured their first league victory of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Siwelele FC at Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Friday night.
Samkelo Sihlali scored twice as Gallants claimed three important points in a five goal encounter that exposed defensive weaknesses in both teams.
Gallants took an early lead when Sihlali found the net in the seventh minute. Siwelele responded through Raymond Makhuvele, who equalised in the 26th minute.
The home side restored their advantage in the 32nd minute through Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, taking a 2-1 lead into the interval.
Sihlali extended Gallants’ advantage four minutes into the second half, scoring his second goal in the 49th minute. Siwelele reduced the deficit in the 55th minute through Maliele Pule, whose free kick set up a tense finish.
Gallants nevertheless held on to claim their first league win of the campaign.
Gallants coach Ronnie Kanalelo welcomed the result but was less satisfied with his team’s defensive performance.
“The boys fought, they really fought. And yeah, we’ve got three goals. But I’m also not happy with how we conceded. I think it’s a little bit unacceptable,” he said.
Kanalelo said his team had anticipated that set pieces would be a major threat from Siwelele, and was disappointed that his side had conceded in situations they had discussed before the match.
“The only way they can get us is through set pieces,” he said. “They got the first goal through a set piece, this second goal through a set piece.”
Despite those concerns, the coach said his players had created the better chances and showed determination after coming into the match following a difficult fixture three days earlier.
The victory was particularly welcome for Gallants, who had struggled to collect points in the opening stages of the league campaign.
“Of course I am happy. We got three points. We’ve been wanting this, you know? We’ve been wanting three points so greatly,” Kanalelo said.
Siwelele coach Godfrey Mosoetsa, meanwhile, said his players lost their composure as they tried to recover from falling behind.
“I think we started becoming hasty because we were chasing the game and you end up not playing your game,” he said.
Mosoetsa said the team needed to remain patient and stick to its approach even when under pressure.
“Even though you are still on the back foot, you still have to play your own game and be calm, and then the goal will come. If it doesn’t come, you will try again.”
The Siwelele coach also criticised aspects of his team’s defending, particularly its failure to deal effectively with second balls and maintain defensive organisation.
He said the team had worked hard since the FIFA international break but needed to improve its performances away from home.
Mosoetsa acknowledged the effort shown by his players but felt their response came too late.
The result ended Siwelele’s three match unbeaten run and gave Gallants a much needed boost as they seek to move away from the bottom of the Premiership standings.
Final score: Marumo Gallants 3-2 Siwelele FC
Half-time: Marumo Gallants 2-1 Siwelele FC
Goals: Sihlali (7′, 49′), Ndlondlo (32′); Makhuvele (26′), Pule (55′).