Marumo Gallants coach Dan Malesela has revealed why he substituted Xola Mlambo during their 2-0 defeat to Golden Arrows in the Betway Premiership at Mpumalanga Stadium on Saturday.

Mlambo was replaced by Thapelo Mokobodi at halftime, with Malesela citing his extended absence from professional football as the reason for the decision.

Gallants signed Mlambo during the off-season after he was released by TS Galaxy at the end of the 2022/23 season. The experienced midfielder showed glimpses of his former self but struggled to be influential in key areas.

“Look, talent is there and if it’s there, it’s there, you cannot remove it,” said Malesela.  

“It is just how you use it and the player applies it as well. The thing is, if you have stayed out for long, there are certain things you miss. You can imagine someone was training in Soweto as oppose to training with us (professional club), it’s quite two different scenarios. 

“I hope Xola gets his groove back and remembers how football is played in a professional setup.” 

Mlambo and Malesela have worked together previously at Mamelodi Sundowns’ development, Cape Town All Stars, and Chippa United. Their most successful collaboration came at Chippa, where Mlambo played a key role in their top-six finish in the 2015/16 season.

Arrows scored both goals in the first half, with Knox Mutizwa and Nduduzo Sibiya capitalizing on defensive errors. Malesela criticized his team’s defensive lapse that led to Mutizwa’s goal.

“You call it a chance? There was no chance,” Malesela reflected on Mutizwa’s goal. 

“I’m trying to find a name for it because there was no chance. That was not a chance because we gave the boy too much space.”  

Gallants now face a tough challenge against Mamelodi Sundowns at Loftus Stadium on Tuesday. Malesela emphasized the importance of bouncing back quickly to regain confidence.

“The game of Sundowns should give them confidence,” said Malesela. 

“We need to start winning somewhere, it doesn’t matter against who, it really doesn’t matter.”