Gallants Edge Arrows To Set Up Carling Knockout Final Against Pirates

Marumo Gallants booked their place in the Carling Knockout final after edging Golden Arrows 4-2 on penalties at King Zwelithini Stadium on Sunday.

The tense semi-final in uMlazi ended 2-2 after 120 minutes of play, forcing the match into a shootout.

Arrows will be left to rue several missed chances, particularly late in the game, as Gallants goalkeeper Washington Arubi produced a heroic performance between the posts. The Zimbabwean veteran made a string of vital saves during open play and then denied both Brandon Theron and Thabo Matlaba from the penalty spot, diving to his right on both occasions.

The Durban-based side failed to replicate the dominant display that saw them thrash Gallants 4-0 at the same venue in the Betway Premiership just a week earlier.

Arrows went into the match as strong favourites, having never lost to Gallants before. In 12 previous meetings between the two sides, Arrows had won eight and drawn four. But despite those impressive stats, coach Manqoba Mngqithi warned during Thursday’s press conference that his players still needed to perform to earn their place in the final.

While Arrows showed effort and attacking intent, Gallants frustrated them with a disciplined defensive setup, playing three at the back to stay compact and organized after last week’s league defeat.

Arrows almost took the lead in the 29th minute when Sboniso Madonsela’s cross was deflected onto the post by Arubi, who quickly recovered to clear the danger.

Gallants responded with efforts of their own, as Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo tested Arrows goalkeeper Xolani Ngcobo with a long-range shot and a free kick that struck the post before being cleared.

In search of more attacking threat, Gallants coach Lafitte Alexandre introduced Daniel Msendami for Siyabonga Nhlapo — a move that soon changed the game’s tempo.

The deadlock was finally broken when Isaac Cisse reacted quickest to score from close range after Gallants failed to deal with Sibonelo Cele’s corner.

Arrows’ celebrations were short-lived. Just moments later, Ndlondlo fired home a stunning strike from the edge of the box to level matters, catching Ngcobo flat-footed.

Two minutes later, Gallants took a shock lead when Sekele Sithole picked up the ball in midfield, surged forward, and calmly slotted past the advancing Ngcobo to make it 2-1.

Ngcobo was called into action again soon after, producing another fine save to deny a powerful drive from Ndlondlo, who was proving to be a constant menace.

Arrows, however, refused to give up. They equalised late in the game when Nqobeko Dlamini combined neatly with Junior Dion before curling a superb effort past Arubi to make it 2-2 and force extra time.

With neither side able to find a winner in the additional 30 minutes, the match was decided from the spot. Gallants held their nerve, converting four of their penalties through Edgar Manaka, Katekani Mhlongo, Agnikoi Eroine, and Ibrahim Bance — who netted the decisive kick.

Gallants will now face Orlando Pirates in the Carling Knockout final on 6 December, as they look to claim their first major trophy since their return to top-flight football.