Marumo Gallants experienced several struggles ahead of their CAF Confederations Cup encounter against Al Akhdar, with kickoff needing to be delayed by four hours and the South African side having to buy a new kit.
After a great run in the CAF Confederations Cup, Gallants founded themselves in a difficult situation when it comes to travelling. Bahlabane Baa Ntwaana had to face Al Akhdar on match day five of the competition.
Gallants left South Africa hoping to arrive in time for the game, unfortunately they landed after the scheduled kickoff time at 15h00 in Libya.
The game was then rescheduled for a 19h00 kickoff and before the game started Dylan Kerr’s side knew that they had qualified already after a 1-1 draw between St Eloi Lupopo and USM Alger.
However, Gallants’ problems didn’t only end there, as they also had a problem with not having their kit after they couldn’t travel with their kit from Turkey to Libya.
As a consequence, Gallants had to buy a new kit and fortunately enough they had club badges with them. That is why they appeared wearing an “Adidas Kit” instead of their usual MonFlair kit.
“The club arrived in Libya after 15h00, and the game had to be rescheduled for 19h00. They had to buy a new kit and put in club badge because they couldn’t take luggages with them in Istanbul, Turkey,” a close source within the club stated.
“It has been a hustle to get here, but the good thing is that we honoured the fixture and we qualified for the knockout stages. We will return to South Africa on 22nd of March.”
Gallants lost the game 4-1 but remained in first place with nine points, one ahead of second-placed USM Alger, while Saint Eloi Lupopo and Al-Ahkdar sit on five points.
Kerr’s face Lupopo in their final Group A clash on 2 April.
Story by Sinethemba Makonco (@Makonco_M).
