Sven Yidah's Marumo Gallants teammate bullish ahead of Yanga clash

© Marumo Gallants

FOOTBALL Sven Yidah's Marumo Gallants teammate bullish ahead of Yanga clash

Festus Chuma 18:22 - 09.05.2023

Marumo Gallants have arrived in Dar es Salaam for the CAF Confederation Cup semi-final clash against Yanga

Sven Yidah's teammate Mpho Mvelase says Marumo Gallants will take the match to Yanga in the semifinal first leg match of the CAF Confederation Cup at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.

The South African Premier Soccer League side secured a semifinal spot after eliminating Pyramids FC 2-1 on aggregate, following a dominant performance against the Egyptian moneybags.

Speaking after his team arrived in Dar es Salaam, Mvalase said they would attack the entire 90 minutes.

"We have come to get a result and not defend. That is the nature of our game," Mvelase told reporters.

The experienced right-back scored for Bahlabane Ba Ntwa in the final Group Stage match against Libyan side Al Akhdar.

Mvelase joined Gallants in 2021 from Polokwane City, having previously turned out for Orlando Pirates, and fondly remembers Bernard Morrison, whom they played together at the Buccaneers.

"I played with Morrison at Orlando Pirates, and he is just a normal player. We haven't been following how Yanga has been playing but will meet them at the field," he added.

Yidah was once again left out of the traveling squad but is also a doubt to feature in the second-leg tie set for next Wednesday at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg after falling down the pecking order. 

Gallants are still fighting for survival in the South African Premier Soccer League as they are placed in 14th place in the 16-team log.

The Bahlabane Ba Ntwa have former Gor Mahia coach Dylan Kerr -who was once a coach at Tanzania Premier League side Simba SC- in their coaching set up.

The 56-year-old Britton has also managed Baroka FC, Black Leopards, and Moroka Swallows in the South African Premier League.

Benjamin Mkapa's cauldron had proved a hostile place for traveling teams, but Gallants are looking to turn the tables despite their relative inexperience at the continental stage.