TS Galaxy advanced to the quarterfinals of the Nedbank Cup this weekend following a convincing 3-0 win over D’General at the Free State Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
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With the Free State Stadium packed with Bloemfontein Celtic supporters, D’General were unable to cause an upset against the PSL outfit as goals by Samir Nurkovic, Sphiwe Mahlangu and Mlungisi Zwane saw Sead Ramovic’s side advance to the next round of the competition.
The Rockets saw most of the ball during the opening exchanges of the match and were patient in their attacking approach. D’General, however, were presented with a couple of scoring opportunities inside the first 15 minutes but were let down by poor finishing inside the area.
While TS Galaxy dominated the game toward the cooling break, Orebotse Mongae came close to getting an opener for his side after his header from the centre of the box hit the left upright. Nevertheless, D’General did not hold back and looked to hit the traveling outfit on the break at every opportunity.
Following a period of sustained pressure, the Rockets took the lead in the 33rd minute as Nurkovic got his name on the scoresheet. After making his way down the right flank, Mongae found Nurkovic with an inch-perfect cross and he guided the ball home with a header from close range.
TS Galaxy doubled their advantage in the 41st minute as Mahlangu joined Nurkovic on the scoreboard. Following a clever bit of link-up play in the D’General half, Mahlangu latched onto a loose ball in the area before rifling the ball into the back of the net.
The visiting side got their third goal soon after the restart as Zwane opened his account for TS Galaxy. With Nurkovic applying a high press, D’General goalkeeper Paseka Hlalele passed the ball directly to an onrushing Zwane inside the 18-yard area, who guided the ball into the back of the net with ease.
TS Galaxy continued to dominate on the ball toward the closing stages of the match, while D’General’s sporadic attacks did little to trouble the Rockets’ backline.
SCORE
D’General: (0) 0
TS Galaxy: (2) 3 (Nurkovic 33’, Mahlangu 41’, Zwane 49’)
SQUADS
D’General: Hlalele, Majoang, Sebolai, Motshabaesi, Tsoisi (Nyaphuli 65’), Sikhosana, Mouma (Ramohlabi 75’), Tsenodi (Kapeng 87’), Sefali (Lekhari 45’), Makhetha (Setlaba 87’), Tonisi
TS Galaxy: Kolak, Radebe, Seema, Kabini, Munyai (Mojela 45’), Mbunjana (Semache 45’), Khiba (Mere 61’), Mahlangu (Zwane 45’), Mongae (Rakwena 71’), Dithejane, Nurkovic