TS Galaxy's search for a first win in the Betway Premiership continues after they picked up a point in a 1-1 draw with Stellenbosch at Athlone Stadium on Wednesday.
Steve Barker's side raced into an early lead through Fawaaz Basadien, but they weren't able to build on their flying start and Nkosikhona Radebe hit back for the Rockets 18 minutes from time to give them a second consecutive draw on the road.
The Maroons remain unmoved in fourth place, one point behind Polokwane City, while Galaxy are still rooted to the foot of the table, two points adrift of safety.
Stellies and TS Galaxy are unable to steal all 3 points at Athlone Stadium 👇#BetwayPrem | #SSDiski pic.twitter.com/PzmA7dqJSL
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) November 6, 2024
The game marked a special occasion for Thabo Moloisane, who was making his 50th appearance for Stellies since joining them from Maritzburg United in July 2023.
The hosts got off to a dream start as they hit the front with barely two minutes on the clock following some lovely inter-play in the final third.
A crisp passing move saw Andre de Jong feed Basadien on the left and he cut the ball back for Sihle Nduli, who found Chumani Butsaka in space inside the D.
The former Cape Town Spurs midfielder slipped in Basadien with a delightful pass and he slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner of the net.
To their credit, the Rockets didn't crumble after conceding early on and they fought to stay in the contest, ensuring the solitary goal was all that separated the two teams at the break.
Galaxy head coach Sead Ramovic rolled the dice at halftime, bringing on Radebe for Dzenan Zajmovic, although the Maroons nearly struck again in the opening stages of the second half when Devin Titus fired a shot against the frame of the goal on 54 minutes.
The substitution would eventually pay dividends, however, as Radebe drew the visitors level on 72 minutes to register only their third league goal of the season.
Stellenbosch (1) 1 (Basadien 2')
TS Galaxy (0) 1 (Radebe 72')
Stellenbosch: S. Stephens, G. Palace (K. Jurgens 53'), I. Toure, T. Moloisane, F. Basadien, C. Butsaka (I. Jabaar 69'), S. Nduli (L. Phili 80'), D. Titus, A. de Jong, S. Barns, A. Cupido (J. Adams 53').
TS Galaxy: J. Ciupa, M. Munyai, M. Mahlangu, K. Ndamane (L. Seema 73'), S. Kabini, T. Khiba, M. Mbunjana, L. Mbatha (P. Dithejane 84'), V. Letsoalo, S. Mahlangu, D. Zajmovic (N. Radebe 46').