Despite Gallants dictating much of the tempo, the hosts were made to settle for a single point after Jaisen Clifford’s 42nd-minute effort cancelled out a well-taken free-kick by Kgomotso Mosadi midway through the first half.

Gallants started brightly and immediately put Magesi under pressure, with Phillip Ndlondlo testing the goalkeeper as early as the third minute. Although Magesi fashioned a few openings of their own, it was the home side who looked more purposeful and created the clearer chances in the first quarter.

Jaisen Clifford. Photo: Morgan Piek

However, against the run of play, Magesi struck first in the 27th minute when Mosadi curled a superb free-kick into the net from just outside the area, giving the visitors an unexpected lead.

Gallants were dealt another setback shortly after when Ndlondlo was forced off due to injury in the 35th minute. This will be a major concern for Gallants ahead of their upcoming Carling Knockout Cup final against Orlando Pirates in Polokwane, as Ndlondlo has been their form player of late.

His replacement, Clifford, wasted no time making an impact. Seven minutes later, he levelled matters with a composed right-footed finish from the centre of the box after finding space at the crucial moment.

The momentum remained with Gallants after the interval as they continued to probe for a second goal. Bheki Mabuza and Ibrahim Bance both came close as the hosts pinned Magesi back, with the visitors struggling to progress beyond the halfway line during the early stages of the second half.

Phillip Ndlondlo. Photo: Morgan Piek

As the match crept towards the final 20 minutes, Gallants continued to dominate possession, while Magesi appeared short of ideas in the attacking third. Still, the Limpopo side sparked a brief resurgence through half-chances from Edmore Chirambadare and Mosadi, though Gallants’ defence held firm.

With full-time approaching, Magesi finally upped the tempo and mounted a late surge, forcing Gallants to defend desperately in the closing stages. However, neither team could find a decisive moment as the contest ended in a hard-fought 1–1 stalemate.

Phillip Ndlondlo being carted off the field with an injury. Photo: Morgan Piek

Both sides will feel they could have taken more from the encounter, but Gallants in particular may rue missed opportunities after controlling the bulk of the proceedings in Bloemfontein.

Meanwhile, on Saturday evening, the other Bloemfontein-based team, Siwelele FC, played to an equally frustrating draw against Chippa United at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs