Mdaka calls for solid defending at battle scarred Gallants

A solid defensive display will be key to Marumo Gallants moving away from the relegation zone, their interim coach Raymond Mdaka believes. 

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Gallants are high in confidence ahead of their battle for survival against fellow strugglers Chippa United on Wednesday night. 

The Limpopo side moved off the bottom place for the first time this season after a good 1-1 draw away to Kaizer Chiefs last weekend. 

Before that, they had showed signs of coming good with a big 3-1 win over Royal AM and a come from behind 3-2 win over St Eloi Lupopo in the Caf Confederation Cup. 

But now Mdaka is hoping his team can be better defensively to have more chances of winning games. 

They have five games to save their DStv Premiership status. Gallants are also in the quarter finals of the Confederation Cup. 

“What we have tried to work on in these kinds of situations is to make sure that we don’t concede easily,” said Mdaka. 

“You look at the defence that is there, we still have (Olivier) Toure, who got a fourth booking and was not here. We still also have Lehlonoholo (Nonyane, coming back).

“So, we tried to solidify at the back so that we can take chances going forward. 

“At most if you cannot concede, chances are you can win the game,” explained the Gallants coach. 

Gallants battling fatigue

Mdaka also admitted that fatigue is setting in on his team with them fighting on two fronts.

“But there is no other plan than soldiering on,” says the 56-year-old who holds a Caf A Coaching License. 

 “We’ll try and alter some of the key areas within the team to make sure that even if some players get a bit tired, we’re able to maintain our plans. 

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“But honestly, it is a bit difficult, we need to understand that we need to honour those fixtures.

“Mentally we need to be prepared. And we have done good in terms of our recovery…  “After travelling, and playing back-to-back games, you must make sure that the players are okay,” insists the Gallants coach. 

Gallants will meet Chippa who have struggled to find rhythm which resulted in yet another bizarre coaching restructuring. 

Kurt Lenjties was demoted back to the side’s development ranks while Siyabulela Gwambi was installed as head coach. 

Gwambi has been with Chippa for a while and has always served as an assistant.