Royal AM & Gallants Share Spoils

Royal AM grabbed a stoppage-time equaliser as they drew 2-2 with Marumo Gallants in Sunday afternoon’s DStv Premiership fixture at the Chatsworth Stadium.

It was a fixture between South Africa’s two representatives in this season’s CAF Confederation Cup, with Royal AM co-coach Dan Malesela facing his former team for the first time since they opted not to renew his contract at the end of the season.

After a bright start, with action at both ends, Gallants grabbed the early lead in the 15th minute, when Phillip Ndlondlo was set up by Celimpilo Ngema, and the diminutive midfielder blasted it into the top right corner.

Washington Arubi made a big save in the 23rd minute to deny Lesvin Stoffels the equaliser. The Zimbabwean veteran made another save three minutes later, this time from Tebogo Potsane. 

Just before half-time, Thwihli Thwahla were level, Stoffels with a good finish in the 45th minute after a neat assist from Potsane.

Gallants were back in the lead in the 51st minute, Sede Dion heading in Ngema’s cross to make it 2-1.

Nlondlo’s effort in the 57th minute was straight at Xolani Ngcobo, while Potsane’s effort at the other end four minutes later lacked power and was straight at Arubi.

Ngcobo saved Dion’s tame 65th-minute attempt, while Skudu Makudubela’s attempt two minutes later was skied over. Royal AM went close in the 69th minute but Shaune Mogaila’s strike was just wide of Arubi’s goal.

Malesela was furious in the 78th minute as he felt his team had a penalty after the ball seemed to strike Lebogang Mabotja’s arm. Substitute Mxolisi Macuphu had a golden chance in the 83rd minute as he found himself unmarked in the box, but he was unable to get his header on target.

Another sub, Ruzaigh Gamildien got his shot on target in the 88th minute, but Arubi was well positioned to make the save.

And just when it looked like Gallants would pick up their first win, Ricardo Nascimento grabbed the equaliser in stoppage time, tapping in from close range.

A share of the points in Durban. Eleventh-placed Gallants remain unbeaten, but with four draws, while Royal AM move up to sixth.

You can read the latest edition of iDiski Times, while we also hear from Kaizer Chiefs Marketing and Commercial Director Jessica Motaung who gives a timeline for the club’s women’s team, discusses the current revival under Arther Zwane and a lot more. We assess Bongani Zungu’s return to Mamelodi Sundowns and also hear how social media star Aunty Diski went from being a fan to a game changer in both the media and football space. Shaun Bartlett reveals how his role at the helm of Cape Town Spurs was 30 years in the making. Read all this and more in iDiski Times Edition 67 below: