TS Galaxy beat AmaZulu FC 3-2 in an entertaining Carling Knockout semifinal encounter which took place at Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The victory saw the Rockets progress to their second major cup final where they will face Stellenbosch FC on 16 December. Galaxy's next game is against Orlando Pirates in a DStv Premiership match on 9 December.
Usuthu, on the other hand, bowed out of the League Cup and they now focus on their league matches with the KwaZulu-Natal giants scheduled to lock horns with champions Mamelodi Sundowns on 6 December.
The Rockets attacked the Usuthu defence with speed down the centre and through the wings from the first whistle. They took an early lead when Bradley Mojela outpaced Ramahlwe Mphahlele before scoring to hand Galaxy a 1-0 lead just two minutes into the game.
FULL-TIME ⏰ | #CarlingKnockout 🏆
— AmaZulu FC (@AmaZuluFootball) December 3, 2023
Great fighting spirit was shown by the team today, but it was not enough. We're out of the cup.#AmaZuluFC 2⃣ - 3⃣ TS Galaxy#Indlulamithi#HebeUsuthu#UsuthuTogether pic.twitter.com/2PytywA2aE
Coach Sead Ramovic's side continued to attack and they doubled their lead in the 26th minute after goalkeeper Veli Mothwa was adjudged to have fouled the pacey Mojela in the box. Higor Vidal stepped up and beat Mothwa to double Galaxy's lead the visitors were 2-0 up at halftime.
Augustine Chidi Kwem, Tshepang Moremi and Taariq Fielies were all introduced by AmaZulu head coach Pablo Franco Martin before the start of the second half. Kwem did make an impact in the 76th minute when he netted from close range to make it 2-1.
Into stoppage time in the second semi-final 🏆
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) December 3, 2023
📺 Stream #CarlingKnockout live: https://t.co/TesYUfo62x pic.twitter.com/i9yYwZNV72
The hosts then pushed for a late equalising goal to at least take the game to extra-time, but they were left vulnerable at the back which saw Galaxy extend their lead in stoppage time. Samir Nurkovic hit the back of the net with his weaker left foot to make it 3-1 to the visitors.
However, the Rockets went to sleep at the back and they conceded when Sere Junior Dion's hard and low shot beat keeper Fiacre Ntwari to make it 3-2. The goal proved to be a mere consolation for AmaZulu as Galaxy held on to claim a 3-2 victory on the day.
AmaZulu (0) 2 (Kwem 76', Dion 90'+4)
Galaxy (2) 3 (Mojela 2', Vidal 26', Nurkovic 90'+3)
AMAZULU: Mothwa, Jooste (Fielies 46'), Mphahlele (Human 46'), Gumede, Hanamub, Mobara, Brooks (Letsoalo 90'+1), Mbanjwa (Moremi 46'), Ekstein (Kwem 46'), Ngema, Dion.
GALAXY: Ntwari, Munyai (Rakwena 57' Mbatha 84'), Sanoka, Mahlangu, Letsoenyo, Mvelase, Khiba, Vidal (Nurkovic 57'), Sebelebele, Mojela (Seema 90'), Mahlangu (Radebe 84').