Kanalelo to take over as Marumo Gallants coach

Former Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Ronnie Kanalelo was on Monday appointed new coach of struggling Marumo Gallants, two days after leading his Namibian club African Stars to an upset victory in the African Champions League.

Kanalelo, who is also a former Namibia coach, was at the helm in Pretoria on Saturday as African Stars beat Gabon’s Mangasport 2-0 to advance to the second round of the Champions League on the away goals rule.

African Stars will meet Orlando Pirates in the second round next month, but without Kanalelo, who ironically has the Buccaneers as his first opponent in his new assignment when Gallants host the Betway Premiership champions at the Royal Bafokeng Sports Palace on Sunday.

The 55-year-old Kanalelo played at Sundowns between 1997 and 2004 and was the back-up goalkeeper to John Tlale as Sundowns won three league titles in a row from 1998 to 2000. He was also a Bob Save Super Bowl winner in 1998.

Kanalelo, who was born in Walvis Bay, replaces Phuti Mohafe, who was fired last week after failing to win in his first five matches in charge this season.

Gallants played under Trevor Mathiane as caretaker coach at the weekend when they lost to AmaZulu and now sit bottom of the table with two points from their first six fixtures.