Siwelele end 702-minute goal drought in South Africa

Tebogo Potsane’s first-half strike secured derby joy and relief for the Premiership newcomers

They scored three times in a debut win over Golden Arrows last month, then went seven matches without scoring. PHOTO: X (@JacaNews)

JOHANNESBURG:

South African club Siwelele ended a 702-minute league goal drought on Sunday when Tebogo Potsane scored in a 1-0 Bloemfontein derby victory over Marumo Gallants.

Marumo conceded possession just inside their half and a swift counterattack ended with Potsane firing past 40-year-old Zimbabwe goalkeeper Washington Arubi from close range on 39 minutes.

Siwelele are newcomers to the Premiership, having bought the franchise of cash-strapped three-time champions SuperSport United.

They scored three times in a debut win over Golden Arrows last month, then went seven matches without scoring.

Victory lifted Siwelele off the bottom of the table to 12th at the end of a dramatic week in which the chief executive and assistant and goalkeepers' coaches were fired.

The dismissed trio, official Stan Matthews and coaches Andre Arendse and Grant Johnson, were former employees of SuperSport, who won the championship three consecutive times from 2008.

Defeat extended a winless run by Marumo to seven matches after starting their campaign with two victories. Their 28-year-old French coach Alexandre Lafitte is the youngest in the Premiership.

Chippa United returned to last place after being held 0-0 in East London by fellow strugglers Stellenbosch. Both clubs have won just once in nine outings.

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