Marumo Gallants claim bragging rights in Limpopo derby after beating Baroka 3-0

Johannesburg — Marumo Gallants emphatically claimed the bragging rights in their DStv Premiership Limpopo derby against Baroka FC at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.

Bahlabane ba Ntwa romped to a 3-0 win thanks to second-half goals from Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo (two) and Joseph Molangoane, with the result taking them a full eight points clear of the relegation zone and avenging a defeat at the hands of their provincial rivals from the first round of the current season. They have also made it three wins from as many outings since the turn of the year, having also beaten Santos in the Nedbank Cup and Chippa United in the league four days ago.

Bakgaga ba Mphahlele, who ended the game with 10 men, have now lost three league matches in succession and sit at the foot of the table, three points adrift of safety.

Gallants started well, with Miguel Timm controlling the rhythm in midfield, while the likes of Celimpilo Ngema and Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo had the freedom to express themselves creatively.

However, chances were hard to come by for the home side’s forwards, Sede Dion and Katlego Otladisa, with Baroka’s defence able to shield goalkeeper Oscarine Masuluke through the first half-hour of the match.

Bakgaga ba Mphahlele offered their threat in attack, with Richard Mbulu and Evidence Makgopa providing a potent presence, though service to the front pair was neither high quality nor of a good quantity.

Baroka also blinked first in terms of changing personnel, with Thamsanqa Masiya coming off the bench a few minutes before halftime to replace Dan Ndlovu, while Bahlabane ba Ntwa continued to look the likelier scorers, with Otladisa and Ndlondlo both sending effort narrowly off target in the dying stages before the