Marumo Gallants FC coach Dan Malesela was full of praise for his young squad despite their 2-0 defeat to Mamelodi Sundowns in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-final.
Although Sundowns ultimately emerged victorious, Malesela saw clear progress and resilience from his team in what he described as an encouraging performance.
The match remained scoreless until the second half, when Lucas Ribeiro’s penalty broke the deadlock. Sundowns’ Neo Maema later secured the win with a stoppage-time goal, ending Gallants’ cup journey.
Reflecting on the outcome, Malesela acknowledged his disappointment but lauded his players’ efforts. “I wish the result had gone our way,” he said. “But I can only appreciate what these kids have done, the effort they put in.
“For a team that’s just a few months old, the signs are promising.”
Malesela, a former captain of both Sundowns and Orlando Pirates, admitted he initially questioned whether some of his players could adapt to the challenges of top-flight football.
“Some of these kids, at the start, I wondered, ‘Will this one make it?’ Now they’ve proven me wrong in so many ways, and I’m happy for them,” he remarked. Despite the loss, he sensed a growing confidence within his squad, feeling it would benefit them in future games.
Gallants will now focus on improving their league standing, currently sitting in 14th place.
Malesela urged his team to build on their recent performance as they look to climb up the league table. “The pressure is on us now,” he admitted.
“But if we grow from here, take something positive from this, it will mean great things going forward.”
With the defeat behind them, Malesela hopes Gallants can translate their promising cup run into league success, further developing the young talent he’s come to admire.