Marumo Gallants remain without a win in the DStv Premiership this season after suffering a 1-0 defeat to Chippa United on Saturday afternoon.
Trevor Mathiane and Thulani Mini returned from Chippa's win at AmaZulu, but Ayanda Nkili filled in for the suspended Olivier Toure on the side of Gallants with Lucky Mohomi recalled too.
Chippa were the busier of the two earlier on and needed goalkeeper Lloyd Kazapua to come out of his area and thwart Mahlatse Makudubela, whilst Siphelele Luthuli troubled Ismail Watenga thereafter.
Gallants bounced back late on in the first period and worked a save out of Kazapua from a clever free-kick shortly after Mini curled narrowly beyond the reach of Watenga.
More openings fell for the two before halftime in a snap shot by Sede Dion which brought a save off Kazapua before Mathiane headed a set-play from Luthuli over target.
The Chilli Boys were ahead five minutes from the break when Ronaldo Maarman tapped in a low ball into the area shortly after he came on for Mini.
With Watenga removed for Washington Arubi minutes later, Chippa nearly added a second from a speculative drive by Thabiso Lebitso but he went wide.
It was just the Chilli Boys that provided all the threats at this point and had a surging header from Luthuli go over the top following a supply.
Gallants looked to hold their all-round structure together in the closing phases, but were nearly two down when Maarman's effort from a set-play hit the upright.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa regardless put up a fight before fulltime and nearly levelled through a smart effort by Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo, but it went over.
The Chilli Boys experienced no late drama from the visitors and therefore managed to ran down the clock for a back-to-back win.
Confirmed line-ups:
Chippa United: Kazapua, Mathiane, Pfumbidzai, Mdunyelwa, Pietersen, Luthuli, Mkhize, Matrose, Lebitso, Kambindu, Mini
Subs: Chaine, Kammies, Poggenpoel, Appollis, Ntsabo, Mqokozo, Mayo, Maarman, Chabalala
Marumo Gallants: Watenga, Khiba, Mabtoja, Hlatshwayo, Nikili, Mohomi, Ndlodlo, Ngema, Makudubela, Otladisa, Dion
Subs: Arubi, Gumede, Maraisane, Manaka, Mphambaniso, Soumaro, Sibeko, Koapeng, Ravhuhali
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