Gallants Coach Hails Arubi’s Heroics In Reaching Carling Knockout Final Win
Marumo Gallants coach Lafitte Alexander says he had full trust and belief that veteran goalkeeper Washington Arubi would come to his side’s rescue in the Carling Knockout semi-final against Golden Arrows.
Arubi saved two penalties — from Brandon Theron and Thabo Matlaba — as Gallants triumphed 4-2 in a shootout at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.
The match had ended 2-2 after regulation and extra time, forcing penalties where Arubi once again proved to be Gallants’ hero. The team appeared to fade in the latter stages of the game, but their confidence in the experienced shot-stopper was evident as he made several crucial saves to keep them in contention.
It was not the first time Arubi has starred in a shootout this season. The Zimbabwean goalkeeper also shone against Mamelodi Sundowns in the first round, where he saved three penalties and even converted the winning spot-kick to knock out last year’s runners-up and send Gallants into the quarter-finals.
Bahlabane Ba Ntwa will now face Orlando Pirates in the Carling Knockout final at Peter Mokaba Stadium on 6 December.
“Honestly, Arubi is like this — he can even take penalties,” said Alexander. “It was a difficult game, but when you have Washington in goal, he can help you in those crucial moments. I trust him completely.”
Pirates reached the final after defeating Richards Bay 1-0 at a packed-to-the-rafters Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.
Gallants, who denied Arrows a maiden appearance in this competition’s final, will draw confidence from their earlier victory over Pirates this season. They beat the Soweto giants 2-1 in their second league match of the campaign, with Daniel Msendami and Jaisen Clifford finding the net at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein in August.
However, that was a Pirates side still adjusting under new coach Abdelsam Ouaddou. Since then, the Buccaneers have found their rhythm — losing just once in 18 matches, winning 15, including their MTN8 triumph over Stellenbosch FC in September.
“We are in the final, and I’m grateful for that,” added Alexander, who often struggles to express himself clearly in English.
“It was a difficult game, a tough moment. For 90 minutes we played well, but our defending for the second goal was poor — we had chances to win 2-1.
“After extra time, it was hard because the players’ energy levels dropped. But I liked our mindset — we played to score, not just to take the game to penalties.
“In the end, I’m happy we won. Penalties are like this [a lottery].”
