Marumo Gallants secured their first win of the 2026/27 Betway Premiership season with a 3-2 victory over Siwelele FC at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium on Friday night.

This crucial victory—Bahlabane Ba Ntwa’s first league success since March—alleviates mounting pressure and elevates them to 15th in the table. Ronnie Kanalelo’s charges will endeavor to build upon this momentum when Durban City arrive for their next league game on November 29.

Conversely, Siwelele suffered a setback as their commendable three-match unbeaten run was halted, leaving the Free State side hovering in 14th position. They will now look to recalibrate swiftly as a Carling Knockout clash against Kaizer Chiefs looms next weekend.

The opening half delivered rapid goals and end-to-end action in Rustenburg. Eventual Man of the Match Samkelo Sihlali broke the deadlock in the seventh minute to hand Gallants a 1-0 lead with his first goal since joining the North West side from Sekhukhune United on a free transfer last winter.

Siwelele pushed back and equalized in the 26th minute through debutant Raymond Makhuvele, making it 1-1. However, Gallants took a 2-1 lead into halftime after Seketso Moremi set up Ndabayithethwa Ndlondlo for his first goal of the campaign, much to the delight of the home crowd.

The second period yielded further high drama as Msindisi Ndlovu slipped a exquisite pass to Sihlali, who completed his brace and extended Gallants' lead to 3-1 in the 49th minute. Siwelele answered six minutes later when Vincent Pule dispatched a thunderous free-kick, netting his second goal of the campaign.

With time waning, coach Godfrey Mosoetsa summoned former Orlando Pirates striker Zakhele Lepasa in the 84th minute to orchestrate a dramatic late equalizer for Siwelele. Gallants, however, maintained a resolute defensive rearguard to preserve their advantage and secure a hard-fought 3-2 win.

Gallants (2) 3 (Sihlali 7', 49', Ndlondlo 32')

Siwelele (1) 2 (Makhuvele 26', Pule 55')

GALLANTS: Mlambo, Rikhotso, Ntiya-Ntiya (Manaka 84'), Motshoeneng, Manku, Ndlondlo, Pheeha, Moremi (Madiba 67'), Sihlali (Button 71'), Ndlovu (67'), Ncube (Moletshe 67')

SIWELELE: February, Lupalule (Saile 46'), Mfolozi, Sesane, Ndebele, Kobedi (Letshedi 78'), Mokhachane (Pule 46'), Makhuvele (Mokhuoane 59'), Jeza, Mazibuko, Noge (Lepasa 84')