Coach Lafitte earns Marumo Gallants pre-season trophy

Marumo Gallants FC confirmed their readiness for the 2025-2026 Betway Premiership season in South Africa by winning a pre-season trophy under new coach Alexandre Lafitte.

The Frenchman must have been pleased with what he saw on Saturday when the Bloemfontein-based club won a Top-Four Tournament.

The day-long competition involved Betway Premiership rookies Orbit College FC, Jwaneng Galaxy and Mochudi Centre Chiefs FC, both from Botswana.

In the end, it was Lafitte’s men who showed their superiority, beating Orbit 1-0 in the final to win the championship. Jaison scored the only goal of the game at Olympia Park Stadium to seal the victory.

To qualify for the final, Gallants showed no mercy on Galaxy, thumping them 6-0, thanks to Mlungusi Khumalo’s hat-trick.

Khumalo opened the scoresheet in the 15th minute before adding his second of the afternoon in the 34th minute then making it a hat trick with a 51st minute finish.

Khumalo’s first goal was followed by Siyabonga Nhlapo’s 28th minute strike. Nhlapo scored in either half with the other strike coming from Thapelo Dhludhlu.

In another game, Orbit beat Centre Chiefs 2-1 to date Gallants in the final.