Marumo Gallants were knocked out of the Caf Confederation Cup semi-final after losing 2-1 in the second leg and 4-1 on aggregate to Young Africans of Tanzania.
The Limpopo-based side lost the first leg away 2-0. “Young Africans did their homework very well, they were sitting back knowing that they have speed to rely on counter attacks,” said Marumo Gallants coach Raymond Mdaka after the match.
Young Africans broke the deadlock on the stroke of half-time courtesy of Fiston Mayele after a mistake by Ayanda Nkili.
Twelve minutes after the interval, Gallants thought they had pulled one back when Ranga Chivaviro headed in Lesiba Nku’s cross only to be ruled offside.
The visitors doubled the lead midway through the first half when Kennedy Musonda converted Mayele’s cross. Chivaviro managed to score on the 90th minute but it was a little too late.
“In the first minutes I thought we were able to manage the game until we conceded after giving our way a ball possession,” added Mdaka.
“The second one was also on the counter attack where they relied on the speed of their striker [Mayele].
“They realised the weakness in our defence in terms of speed. Other than that, I thought our boys played well. We had a number of chances that we could not convert but well done to Yanga. But we have done well by reaching this point of the competition.”
By Zola Doda