Marumo Gallants being 16th in the DStv Premiership but on course for CAF Confederation Cup knockout round stages has an explanation, according to coach Raymond Mdaka.
With six points secured from three games, Gallants have qualification in their own hands, with USM Alger, Al Akdar and Saint Eloi Lupopo awaiting them in the second round of Group A now – but they are favourites for the drop from the top-flight in South Africa.
With nine games to go, they are five points from safety, the 14th-placed Swallows sitting on 24 points, while Maritzburg United, in the relegation play-off spot, are two points ahead of Gallants.
“I wouldn’t give an exact answer on that given the complexity of the situation,” Mdaka said in the pre-match press conference for the USMA clash.
“When we started playing in CAF, we had already played a number of games in the domestic league where we might have some challenges. I remember after the World Cup we lost many games.
“And those who normally follow the team, we had about seven key players who weren’t playing our captain [Nonyane] only came back after the seventh game, Mpho [Mvelasa], the whole back-four and subs were missing, we struggled a bit in the league.
“I would think if we had all those players we relied on [we’d be better], the time CAF came and I think we would have seen a [better] team in the league. CAF has many challenges, including traveling, and the environment when you go there.”
Mdaka went on to hint that there’s a sense of unpredictability in CAF competitions which they could be taking advantage of as much as they don’t have the capabilities to study their opponents as much as they would like.
“Here [at home], you are able to see teams playing almost every weekend, you understand them you can plan – with CAF there’s little information that we can do. I just feel like as a team, we didn’t start well due to some challenges,” he explained.
“Once Confed came up, we were knitted well. We’re not playing any different [in the two competitions.”
Gallants face off against the eight-time Algeria Ligue 1 champions this afternoon at Dobsonville Stadium (15h00).
