Marumo Gallants interim coach Raymond Mdaka has insisted his players and technical team should be applauded for their incredible journey in the CAF Confederations Cup, which was ended by Young Africans in the semi-final.
Mdaka believes losing defender Ismael Toure early in the semi-final second leg contributed to Gallants’ 2-1 defeat to Young Africans at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Wednesday.
The Limpopo side could not overturn the 2-0 deficit from the first leg in Tanzania, losing the tie 4-1 on aggregate.
Toure came off with a pulled muscle after 41 minutes and he was replaced by Ayanda Nkili when the scoreline was still 0-0. Mdaka admitted the switch weakened their team but insisted he has nothing but praise for their historic run to the semi-final.
“We got a forced replacement in Toure, who pulled his muscle. As much as we replaced him with another centre-back, we realised that Toure and Tshepo had been playing together for a number of time, so that understanding and that communication [was missing],” said Mdaka.
“We continued trying to get a goal and we were caught again with a goal that we gave away in the middle of the park. They again used their speed against our defense and they were able to score.
“But generally when one tries to check our route, the journey from where we come from, I think one needs to appreciate and applaud the Marumo Gallants players. We tried we did a very good job.
“The time when these things came, when we were supposed to push in the domestic league because we were at the bottom of the league and also pick up in the Confed. We were able to balance both until where we are now in the semi-finals.
“I think one would say it is ‘a job well done’ – a good experience to the players, a good experience to the team, good experience to the technical team.”
Bahlabane ba ntwa now turn their focus on domestic action, where they need to win their last DStv Premiership match of the season against Swallows FC to secure their premier division status.
A draw would put them at least above Maritzburg United on goal difference, but they would depend on the result between Chippa United and Golden Arrows as to whether they would go into the play-offs.
