Publications
Partners
- Marumo Gallants coach Raymond Mdaka said their focus has shifted to Saturday's do-or-die DStv Premiership game against Swallows after Wednesday's CAF Confederations Cup loss to Young Africans.
- The Tanzanian side beat Gallants 2-1 in Phokeng and 4-1 on aggregate to set up a date with Algeria's USM Alger.
- Marumo Gallants must avoid defeat against Swallows on Saturday to retain their DStv Premiership status.
Marumo Gallants coach Raymond Mdaka said a singular focus for Saturday's relegation battle against Swallows FC will serve them well, especially now that they only have one goal to focus on after their CAF Confederation Cup exit on Wednesday.
Gallants lost their second-leg semi-final 2-1 to Tanzania's Young Africans, a result that saw them lose the tie 4-1 on aggregate after losing the first leg 2-0 in Dar es Salaam last week.
On the domestic front, Gallants are 15th on the DStv Premiership log after Maritzburg United's 1-1 draw against Mamelodi Sundowns on Tuesday, but they would survive automatic relegation or the promotion/relegation playoffs if they draw or beat Swallows at the Dobsonville Stadium on Saturday.
While Mdaka was proud of how his team conducted themselves in the Confed Cup, there are also lessons they need to apply not just in Saturday's key game, but in other tournaments going forward.
MATCH REPORT | Young Africans teach Marumo Gallants continental lesson with crushing aggregate win
"We have been doing things one at a time and focusing on what is in front of us," Mdaka said.
"We're done with this tournament now and we've closed the chapter on this one, so we now need to focus on the game that's coming on Saturday.
"There have been a lot of lessons, and should we find ourselves in the same competition as a team, or the players find themselves there, they'll understand most of the situations.
EXCLUSIVE | SA star Lyle Foster following in Premier League footsteps of Lucas, Benni and Pienaar
"It is of course very different because how you play in South Africa there's a lot more space, whereas there's a lot more physicality in CAF games.
"Teams at this level have a lot more things that work for them to thrive in this competition."
Mdaka said it was also important to find a balance between Cup competitions and the league, for a team like Gallants may not have the goods to challenge for league honours, but can definitely use Cup competitions to compete in continental tournaments.
READ | Reborn and refuelled: Cape Town Spurs doing everything right - 'It's not about money'
Gallants had qualified for the Confederations Cup as losing Nedbank Cup finalists as league winners Mamelodi Sundowns had already qualified for the Champions League.
"You need to be able to find a balance and manage things very well, especially for a team that doesn't have that many resources," Mdaka said.
"There are difficulties in things like areas of administration and travel, and you try to do things with 16 to 18 players, so that is a lot.
"However, it is very important because we are also here to learn."
