Sekhukhune United are co-leaders of the Betway Premiership after they defeated TS Galaxy 1-0 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Wednesday evening.
Babina Noko joined Kaizer Chiefs, Durban City and Marumo Gallants on a full haul of six points thanks to a winner from Bradley Grobler with just over 10 minutes of regulation time to play.
As for the Rockets, this is a second successive loss after going down at the hands of Durban City this past weekend.
The teams traded chances through an evenly-matched first half, though the only effort on target came from Galaxy’s Puso Dithejane, who saw his 17th-minute shot from outside the box comfortably saved by Sekhukhune goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner.
Galaxy had threatened a few minutes earlier via a Spheshile Maduna header which went wide of the mark, while Sekhukhune’s best attempt of the half came in injury time before the interval, with Thabang Monare heading just off target from a corner kick by Keletso Makgalwa.
Galaxy dialled up the pressure early in the second half and had two great chances to break the deadlock in the 51st minute, though both Qobolwakhe Sibande and Kganyane Letsoenyo were denied in quick succession by fine saves from Leaner.
Babina Noko should have claimed the lead five minutes later when Makgalwa sent another dangerous cross into the penalty area, picking out Medupi Thokolo, but the latter put his close-ranger header over the crossbar.
The hosts showed the strength of their bench on the hour mark when they made a triple change to send on Linda Mntambo, Miguel Timm and Bradley Grobler, with the tactical shuffle resulting in chances for Ellis Rammala and Tsepo Matsimbi – neither of which came to fruition.
However, in the 77th miniute, Grobler struck from close range after sustained pressure from the hosts, finally cracking the Galaxy defence.
And the Limpopo side were able to hold firm in defence through the remainder of the game, as they kept up their perfect start to the 2025/26 campaign.
The teams will return to Premiership action next midweek, with Sekhukhune away to Orbit College and Galaxy visiting Chippa United.
Sekhukhune United (0) 1 (Grobler 77’)
TS Galaxy 0
SEKHUKHUNE: Leaner, Matsimbi (Mogaila 72’), Thokolo, Cardoso, Letlapa, Mncube, Mkhize, Monare (Timm 60’), Makgalwa (Mntambo 60’ [Ndlovu 82’]), Ohizu (Grobler 60’), Rammala
GALAXY: Tape, Motaung, Mahlangu, Ndamane, Letsoenyo (Walters 86’), Maduna, Mbunjana, Sibande, Mvelase (Mgaga 82’), Dithejane (Mahlambi 82’), Letsoalo