GALAXY INTO THE FINAL FOUR
TS Galaxy have become the first team to book a place in the semifinals of the 2019 Nedbank Cup, defeating fellow National First Division club Cape Umoya United 2-1 at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday night.
It was a match of two halves, with the hosts failing to capitalise on their dominance in the first 45 minutes, while the Rockets upped their game after the break and ended as deserved winners for making the most of their scoring chances.
Umoya claimed the lead on 14 minutes when Brandon Theron provided a superb cross from the right wing to pick out Katlego Otladisa, who had an easy task heading from close range to make it 1-0.
The Cape side completely dominated the first half but were unable to add to their advantage, wasting several good chances. The best arrived when Gavin Hammers stole the ball off Galaxy goalkeeper Ludwe Mpakumpaku but opted to look for a pass rather than shoot for the unguarded posts.
Galaxy claimed an equaliser against the run of play, with Zakhele Lepasa converting a penalty in the 44th minute to ensure the half ended 1-1. The spot kick had been somewhat harshly awarded for a hand-ball by Roscoe Pietersen in trying to block a cross.
Early in the second half the hosts looked to get back in front and tested Mpakumpaku through a shot direct from a free kick by Moegamat Maart, while just after the hour mark Lepasa had a great chance to put the Rockets in front for the first time but whipped a shot high and wide.
A short while later the Cape side needed goalkeeper Dino Visser to make a sharp save low to his left, keeping out a shot from Snethemba Ngidi, while on 75 minutes the gloves-man was involved again when he tipped Zairon Abrahams’ effort over the crossbar.
Visser was finally beaten again in the 88th minute by a bizarre finish from Sizwe Mdlinzo, who looked to volley a dropping ball but connected with his knee instead – the effort looped beyond the reach of the ‘keeper and found the back of the net to put Galaxy 2-1 up.
Umoya had a couple of strong appeals for a penalty in what remained of the game, and Pietersen saw a powerful header go straight to the ‘keeper, but Galaxy were able to hold firm until the final whistle and book their place in the last four.
Cape Umoya United (1) 1 (Otladisa 14’)
TS Galaxy (1) 2 (Lepasa 44’ pen, Mdlinzo 88’)
Umoya: Visser, Tshabangu, Pietersen, Chipeta, Theron, Otladisa (Paulse 62’), Maart, Matlou (Kamatuka 90’), Mekoa, Senne (Koapeng 90’), Hammers
Galaxy: Mpakumpaku, Bodibe, S. Ndlovu (Aubaas 37’), Dube, Mashego, N. Ndlovu, Mdlinzo, Nduli, Ngidi (Abrahams 71’), Nyama (Phungwayo 90+3’), Lepasa
