Marumo Gallants FC advanced to the CAF Confederation Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 aggregate win over Pyramids FC on Sunday evening.
Gallants were unchanged from the side that did duty in the first leg last Sunday in Cairo, but Pyramids had South African international Fagrie Lakay in their line-up.
The South African side enjoyed a confident start where they had a lot of possession and played around the opposing third through Mpho Mvelase and marksman Ranga Chivaviro.
Pyramids did have the first chance in anger inside the opening ten minutes when Mohammed Hamdy got on the end of a corner and nodded over.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa engineered a late surge before halftime and nearly had the lead through a teasing ball from a tight angle by Letsie Koapeng, but Pyramids cleared their lines.
The host made their good spell count when Celimpilo Ngema pounced on a loose ball in the area five minutes to the interval and drilled through the gloves of goalkeeper Ahmed El-Shenawy.
Gallants were denied a second on the stroke of halftime as El-Shenawy rolled across his goal-line and punched a curling free-kick from a tight angle by Lucky Mohomi.
There were a change at halftime on the side of Pyramids, with Ibrahim Adel introduced and Blati Toure sacrificed before seeing Lakay slam a golden chance from a loose ball over target.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa were under more pressure midway through the second half and had Lakay come close again with a first-time volley, but Washington Arubi smothered.
Pyramids continued to throw numbers forward around full-time and efforts particularly for substitute Ben Youssef followed, but the host remained calm at the back.
The host could've had a second in the closing seconds when Koapeng spotted El-Shenaway off the line and went for a lob, but he hit the woodwork as the match finished 1-0 with Gallants sealing a spot in the last four.
Confirmed line-ups:
Marumo Gallants: Arubi, Mvelase, Toure, Gumede, Mabotja, Mohomi, Ngema, Nku, Sibeko, Koapeng, Chivaviro
Subs: Watenga, Nkili, Otladisa, Mphambaniso, Mdlinzo, Nkosi, Kumalo, Makudubela
Pyramids: El Shennawy, Ali Gabr, Fathy, Chibi, Hamdy, Toure, Tawfik, Elkarti, Fathy, Sobhi, LakayYou must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments. Click here to register!