3 days ago
Gallants prove their resilience under new coach Lafitte
Marumo Gallants coach Alexandre Lafitte pleased with his sides start to the season. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Marumo Gallants are emerging as the team to beat after another impressive 2–1 win over Betway Premiership title favourites Orlando Pirates on Tuesday.
Goals from Daniel Msendami and Jaisen Clifford fueled the Bloemfontein-based outfit's spirited comeback at a packed Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium—after Patrick Maswanganyi had put the visitors ahead early in the first half.
Siwelele sa Marumo have been impressive in the two matches they have played so far in the league, and they had to withstand a relentless onslaught from the Buccaneers which they successfully managed to resist picking up a crucial equaliser on the brink of halftime.
Their surge of momentum began in the second half as they grew in confidence, while the Sea Robbers—who had started brightly—lost their rhythm and failed to create any chances in yet another disappointing showing for them.
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New coach Alexandre Lafitte has certainly hit the ground running, and having secured back-to-back wins after their opening day 2-1 win against Richards Bay, he is obviously pleased with how his side executed their game plan against the title favourites.
'It's a fantastic result. I am happy for the fans and the team,' Lafitte said after the match.
'It was a difficult game, they are a fantastic team, the game plan was good, because the objective was that when you don't have the ball, press high, and when you have the ball play a bit more.
'The first goal was good, and in the second half we had more possession and we used it well.'
With the MTN8 taking centre stage this weekend, Lafitte and his charges will receive an extra weekend's rest. They will next face AmaZulu in a league encounter in just over a week.
Interestingly, the Bloemfontein outfit has delivered their best football in the second halves of both their opening games, scoring decisive goals late in each contest. Lafitte credited this resilience and challenged his squad to keep evolving, stressing that they are not yet a finished product.
'It was a good performance and result for us, it's two games in a row with us scoring after 90 minutes and I think that it's good for us mentally. Moving forward it will be important to improve when we have the ball but I think we had a good start.
'I think it's important to have a structure, to break the space and find players free, and we will need to work for that for a long time. Sometimes you will make mistakes, but I would prefer if we made mistakes and learn from them and improve the quality of our game.'
New centre-forward Clifford scored his first goal for the club—and, as one of only a few new recruits in a major squad overhaul, he provides a perfect example of Lafitte's vision. The coach also confirmed the club is still in the market for reinforcements before the transfer window closes.
'I am happy to be here, we have been working with the President to improve the squad, when the time is right, we will look into two or three players, a defender, midfielder and striker.'
