Sébastien Migné

Marumo Gallants are finally back in South Africa following a harrowing week-long round-trip in the CAF Confederation Cup. Photo: Twitter @Marumo_Gallants

Marumo Gallants finally return home after Africa NIGHTMARE journey!

Marumo Gallants are finally back in South Africa following a harrowing week-long round-trip in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Sébastien Migné

Marumo Gallants are finally back in South Africa following a harrowing week-long round-trip in the CAF Confederation Cup. Photo: Twitter @Marumo_Gallants

Africa isn’t for sissies – just ask Marumo Gallants!

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The DStv Premiership club, previously known as Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila FC, are finally back in South Africa following a harrowing week-long round-trip in the CAF Confederation Cup.

Marumo Gallants suffered a 2-1 defeat to Futuro Kings of Equatorial Guinea after initially travelling with just 13 players – and without a goalkeeper – for their preliminary first round, first-leg tie.

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Such was the chaos that shot-stopper Washington Arubi only arrived TWO HOURS before kick-off following a series of visa-related administrative mishaps.

Bahlabane Ba Ntwa left South Africa for Equatorial Guinea last Tuesday in a journey which took them first to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, then to Malabo and Bata (both in Equatorial Guinea) before finally arriving in Mongomo where the match was held.

And that’s not where their troubles ended!

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The day after the match they endured a road trip from Mongomo into neighbouring Cameroon which took all day after they experienced Covid-19- related protocol delays at the border.

This meant they missed their flight in the Cameroonian capital of Yaounde and faced further expenses having to find accommodation.

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Eventually, Marumo Gallants departed on Monday and landed in Johannesburg in the early hours of Tuesday before another road trip to their ‘home’ in Polokwane.

The good news is that Marumo Gallants picked up an all-important away goal thanks to Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo meaning that a 1-0 win at home in the second leg will be enough to see them progress to the next stage of the tournament.

That second leg is scheduled for Friday, 17 September at the Peter Mokaba Stadium.

Kick-off is at 17:00.

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