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Gallants clinch last 8 spot, top spot still up for grabs

Marumo Gallants suffered a 4-1 defeat to Al Akhdar on Sunday evening, but they had already qualified for the knockout stage.

The South Africans named a highly experienced line-up that featured goalkeeper Washington Arubi, Lucky Mohomi and Tshepo Gumede to mention, even though USM Alger's 1-1 draw with Saint-Éloi Lupopo meant Gallants had qualification secured.

It was a difficult opening for Limpopo outfit and a looping shot from a ball over the top caused a chance for the host, but Arubi covered ground.

The difficult spell didn't cause the South Africans to play long balls and force corners, but their hand was forced around the half-hour mark after Thato Khiba picked up a knock and Ayanda Nkili entered.

It took the host exactly a minute after the introduction to make the breakthrough where Anas Alraheem pulled to the far side of the area and slotted in from an acute angle.

Akhdar remained calm and turned out for the second half in mean mood before securing a second goal when Ary Papel Afonso occupied an open space in the box and poked in off the post following a corner-kick.

However, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa weren't fazed and halved the deficit over 61 minutes when Mpho Mvelase darted in at the far post and steered a mis-placed attempt from a corner in the net.

Akhdar, though, regained their two-goal cushion five minutes later where Papel Afonso retrieved possession in a key area and charged clear to round Aurbi for an easy finish.

The Libyans helped themselves to a fourth goal in the 72nd minute when Afonso played a low pass across the area for Mohamed Makari to riffle in from a tight angle.

Gallants nearly got a lifeline minutes thereafter with a low shot from a tight angle by Mvelase, but the host rushed back and cleared from the goal-line.

Both set of teams enjoyed openings to increase their tally as full-time approached, but it finished 4-1 to the host who avenge the first round defeat by the same score-line.

Confirmed line-ups:

Marumo Gallants:  Arubi, Gumede, Mvelase, Nku, Mohomi, Sibeko, Mphambaniso, Otladisa, Ngema, Khiba, Manaka

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