Wounded Gallants now target Carling Knockout Cup final spot - Bloemfontein Courant

The Bloemfontein-based Marumo Gallants will be looking to go one step further on Sunday when they face Lamontville Golden Arrows in Durban in the semi-finals of the Carling Knockout Cup. Gallants are into the semi-finals of the season's second cup competition for the second year running after they thumped the much-fancied Stellenbosch FC 4-0 in a very wet Bloemfontein during last week's quarter-finals. Almost a year ago to the day, Gallants beat the very same Stellies 1-0 at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium to advance to the last four, where they were eventually knocked out by Mamelodi Sundowns. On Wednesday, 29 October, Phillip Ndlondlo led the charge for Gallants with a brace, while Monde Mpambaniso and Edgar Manaka also found the back of the net as they humbled Steve Barker's charges at the soaked Slaughterhouse. In the draw for the semi-finals straight after that victory over the team from the Winelands, Arrows earned home-ground advantage and will host Gallants on Sunday afternoon at the King Zwelithini Stadium. This past Sunday, the two sides met at the very same venue in a Premier Soccer League fixture - a day to forget for the Bloemfontein outfit. First, Arrows handed Marumo a 4-0 hiding, their heaviest defeat of the season, and then, on the way back to their hotel, the team bus was involved in a minor road accident. Fortunately, no players, technical staff, or anyone else sustained any serious injuries. Sunday's semi-final presents the perfect opportunity for Marumo to set the record straight and book their place in the final for the first time. Kick-off is at 15:00. The winner will face either Richards Bay or Orlando Pirates in the final. At the time of going to print, the PSL fixture between Durban City and Marumo at the Chatsworth Stadium in Durban on Wednesday had not yet been played. - MORGAN PIEK