Marumo Gallants FC recorded a vital 3-1 win over Madagascar's Elgeco Plus in the CAF Confederation Cup second preliminary round first-leg on Sunday afternoon.
Coach Dan Malesela named a strong eleven from the midweek win at TS Galaxy, with Olivier Toure back in for Sizwe Ndlinzo and Sibusiso Sibeko up top ahead of Sede Dion.
Elgeco eliminated Cameroon's PWD Bamenda in the first preliminary round and progressed to the second preliminary round to face Gallants.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa, who are appearing in their second Confederation Cup following last season's impressive debut showing, received a bye in the earlier round.
Gallants looked for a strong opening following kick-off and were handed their just rewards with the breakthrough just before the halftime interval through Monde Mphambaniso.
Malesela's men showed more intensity a few minutes later and bagged a second goal when Celimpilo Ngema converted a penalty.
Elgeco didn't lose confidence despite going down at the break and thus managed to pull one back following the resumption of the match.
However, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa managed to restore their two-goal advantage thereafter through Lesiba William Nku's finish.
In the end, Malesela and his troops walked away with the victory and went into the return-leg next weekend in Polokwane in total control of this encounter.
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