'I am shattered': Heartbreak for Marumo Gallants coach after PSL relegation

A bitter four days for Marumo Gallants ended with their relegation from the DStv Premiership on Saturday after a 2-0 loss at mid-table Swallows in Soweto.

Marumo, a team composed largely of ageing discards from other top-flight sides, lost a CAF Confederation Cup semi-final to Young Africans of Tanzania on Wednesday.

Then, needing a draw against Swallows to avoid automatic demotion, they fell to a couple of goals from Lindokuhle Mtshali, who scored in first half added-time and with nine minutes left.

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Defeat left Marumo on 29 points, one less than Maritzburg United and Chippa United, after the final round of the 30-matchday championship.

"I am shattered. It never crossed my mind that this (relegation) would happen," said Marumo coach Raymond Mdaka.

"We were on top of the world just a few weeks ago -- eliminating powerful Egyptian club Pyramids in a Confederation Cup quarter-final and picking up valuable league points at home.

"What probably counted against us in the end was a lack of strength in depth. We are a small club and lack the financial resources of many other South African teams.

"The boys were a little tired lately from all the travel -- we visited Madagascar, Libya twice, Zambia, Algeria, Egypt and Tanzania to reach the Confederation Cup semi-finals."

There have been reports of disagreements between Marumo players and officials over bonuses, with some supporters suggesting on social media that it may have contributed to their downfall.

One thing Marumo are currently not short of is cash, having received R14 600 million for reaching the last four of the Confederation Cup.

That prize money can be bettered in the Premiership only