TS Galaxy have risen into the top half of the DStv Premiership log after a 2-0 home win over Chippa United at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Sphiwe Mahlangu and Samir Nurkovic scored the goals, with the result lifting the Rockets (who have won three of their last four league outings) to eighth place on 21 points from 15 matches.
The Chilli Boys, meanwhile, remained in 12th place on 18 points from 16 matches and have managed just one victory from their last eight Premiership outings.
The teams took their time to settle into a rhythm, but Galaxy took a stranglehold of possession and began to create good scoring chances around the half-hour mark – the best of which saw Lehlohonolo Mojela head over the crossbar from Mark Munyai’s cross.
A few minutes later Kamohgelo Sebelele skipped through the defence and looked set for a brilliant solo goal, but shot straight at Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.
Chippa had offered relatively little threat going forward, but on 43 minutes Augustine Mulenga sent a rasping shot on target which required a sharp save from Galaxy goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.
The first half closed with the score line blank and both teams opted for changes at the start of the second, with the Rockets introducing Higor Vidal and the Chilli Boys throwing on Thabiso Lebitso and Siyabonga Nhlapo.
On 49 minutes, Galaxy created a great chance to claim the lead, with Mojela and Sphiwe Mahlangu combining to give Solomon Letsoenyo a clear sight of goal, but his clean strike on target was turned away by Nwabali.
However, Galaxy deservedly claimed the lead in the 57th minute, as Letsoenyo provided a cross from the left by-line and an unmarked Sphiwe Mahlangu nodded home for 1-0.
The hosts went on to create further attacking openings but too often misplaced the final pass or cross, letting a sieve-like Chippa defence off the hook on numerous occasions. Substitute Nkosikhona Radebe was particularly guilty of this and was replaced (with no sign of an injury) after just 14 minutes on the pitch – with an icy stare from coach Sead Ramovic.
Fortunately for Galaxy, their dominance was rewarded with all three points as they ensured the victory with a second goal deep in injury time, with Samir Nurkovic finishing off Letsoenyo’s excellent assist for 2-0.
The teams will only return to DStv Premiership action in mid-February 2024, once the Africa Cup of Nations has been completed.
TS Galaxy (0) 2 (S. Mahlangu 57’, Nurkovic 90+5’)
Chippa United 0
Galaxy: Ntwari, Munyai (Radebe 74’ [Semache 88’]), M. Mahlangu, Sanoka, Letsoenyo, Mvelase, Khiba, S. Mahlangu (Mbatha 83’), Mongae (Vidal 46’), Sebelebele, Mojela (Nurkovic 74’)
Chippa: Nwabali, Makhele (Lebitso 46’), Pietersen, Chabalala, Kammies (Nhlapo 46’), Poggenpoel (Konqobe 69’), Mosele, Maarman, Modise, Memela (Ndwandwe 69’), Mulenga (Francis 69’)