Wandile Duba produced the performance of his young career as Kaizer Chiefs swept aside TS Galaxy 3-0 to book their place in the next round of the Carling Knockout Cup, with the striker writing his name into the club's history books through a devastating second-half hat-trick.
The 20-year-old forward was the difference-maker at FNB Stadium, scoring all three goals after the break as Amakhosi recorded the biggest victory ever in this fixture. The result also saw Chiefs progress beyond the Round of 16 of the Carling Knockout Cup for a 21st time in the PSL era while extending their unbeaten run against TS Galaxy to five matches across all competitions.
For Duba, it was a landmark evening that highlighted his growing importance to Fernando da Cruz’ side. Having already netted three goals in league action this season, he took his overall tally to six in all competitions, making this the most prolific campaign of his senior career.
The breakthrough arrived three minutes into the second half when Pule Mmodi's delivery found Duba, who calmly finished to give Chiefs a deserved lead. The strike carried added significance, making Duba the first Chiefs player ever to score in a cup match against TS Galaxy after the Soweto giants had failed to find the net in their previous two knockout meetings.
DUBA WAS FAR FROM FINISHED
In the 63rd minute, Mduduzi Shabalala's penalty was saved by goalkeeper Melusi Mathebula, but Duba reacted quickest to slam home the rebound and double Chiefs' advantage. Just three minutes later, the forward completed a memorable hat-trick when he turned home a Shabalala assist to put the result beyond doubt.
The treble was historic on multiple levels. Duba became the first Chiefs player in the PSL era to score a hat-trick in a League Cup match and the first Amakhosi player to achieve the feat in the competition since 1987. It was also his first-ever League Cup goals.
Clinical finishing was the hallmark of his display. Chiefs managed six shots on target throughout the match, five of them coming in the second half, while Duba himself registered four efforts on target and converted three. When the opportunities arrived, he was ruthless.
There also appears to be something about TS Galaxy that brings out the best in the striker. Duba has now scored four goals against the Rockets, with all of them coming on home soil. His previous strike against Galaxy came in a 1-1 Premiership draw on 5 April 2025, and he has now established himself as one of the visitors' most troublesome opponents.
While Duba deservedly took centre stage, he received valuable support from his teammates. Mmodi's assist for the opening goal was his eighth for Chiefs and his second of the current season across all competitions, coming in his 94th appearance for the club. Shabalala also played a key role, providing the assist for the third goal to record his second assist of the campaign.
The victory continued several positive trends for Chiefs. They have now won consecutive matches against TS Galaxy for the first time, scored five goals across their last two meetings with the Rockets, and struck three goals against them in a single match for the first time.
Amakhosi have also kept three successive clean sheets against Galaxy for the second time and recorded back-to-back clean sheets overall for the first time this season.
For TS Galaxy, meanwhile, the night continued a worrying slump. The defeat was their fourth in a row in all competitions and extended their scoreless streak to five matches. It was also their heaviest defeat in the League Cup and marked the first time they have been eliminated at the Round of 16 stage.
The result brought greater balance to the overall head-to-head record. In what was the 15th meeting between the clubs, both Chiefs and TS Galaxy now have three victories each, with nine matches ending level.
Yet the story of the night belonged to Duba. On an evening when Chiefs needed inspiration, the striker delivered it emphatically, turning a tight contest into a one-sided triumph and announcing himself as one of the club's most exciting attacking talents with a record-breaking hat-trick.
For TS Galaxy, it was also a taste of their own medicine as they have been taunting Chiefs on social media in the lead-up to the match.