On Wednesday night, Marumo Gallants secured a point away from home against Stellenbosch FC in the DStv Premiership. Steve Barker’s Stellies made one change to the side that drew with TS Galaxy, as Mervin Boji was handed only his second start of the season to lead the front line, while Gallants recalled Mahlatse Makudubela and gave Makgobola Nkomo his debut.
The hosts had the initiative to attack in the early stages and Devin Titus thought he had opened the scoring on 20 minutes after he found the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for offside. Four minutes later, Boji had a glorious chance but his shot was thwarted by goalkeeper Washington Arubi.
FULL-TIME:@StellenboschFC 1-1 @_MarumogallantsDStvPrem pic.twitter.com/kh5ZZXB3rP
— Official PSL (@OfficialPSL) January 11, 2023
Junior Mendieta eventually broke the deadlock five minutes into the second stanza with a curling strike that found the top corner after a through ball by Titus. Dan Malesela reacted by making a tactical change just after that as striker Ranga Chivaviro replaced Makudubela and within seven minutes Chivaviro nearly found the equaliser as he forced a save out of shot-stopper Sage Stephens with a shot in the box.
As the game opened up, Stellies had another injury blow with 22 minutes to go as Mendieta had to be replaced by Nhlanhla Mgaga. The visitors gained momentum in the latter stages and Chivaviro eventually found the equaliser for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa in the last minute with a header in the box from another delivery by Katlego Otladisa. A point moved Gallants off the foot of the table, up to 15th while Stellies remained in 13th spot.
