​Rockets fire their way into the top eight

TS Galaxy secured their spot in the top eight of the DStv Premiership this week following a gritty 1-0 victory against Orlando Pirates at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Dubbed a ‘defensive masterclass’ by the commentators at the Mbombela Stadium, Sead Ramovic and his charges confirmed their spot in the top eight courtesy of Siphiwe Mahlangu’s close-range effort in the second half.

As the game commenced at a timid pace, Pirates looked to assert themselves on the ball early on. However, it was TS Galaxy who produced the first attempt on goal as Puso Dithejane’s left-footed shot inside the area forced a save out of Sipho Chaine.

Pirates continued to see most of the ball midway through the first half, however, TS Galaxy made it difficult for the Soweto giants to play their usual fluid brand of football.

Relebohlile Ratomo came close to opening the scoring in the 18th minute, with his right-footed effort from the left side of the box saved by goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.

Then came one of the best chances of the first half. Makhehlene Makhaula was spotted falling to his knees after getting on the end of a missed goal-scoring opportunity. Following a neat passing move on the edge of the Galaxy area, Makhaula latched on to a loose ball in the box before fluffing his lines with the shot that saw the ball sailing over the crossbar.

MAHLANGU TAKES THE LEAD

The Rockets took the lead soon after the hour-mark as Mahlangu continued his rich vein of goal scoring form. In making their way into the Pirates half, Galaxy’s incisive passing moves en route to goal disrupted the Bucs defensive organisation as Mahlangu latched onto a squared ball across the small box to finish from close range.

After reshuffling his pack, Jose Riveiro’s side once again asserted themselves on the opposition by holding a high line in search of an equalizer as the 85th minute approached. The Rockets attempted to slow the game at every set-piece, with Ramovic marshalling his troops on the touchline.

With the mission complete, the referee called time on the encounter in Mbombela with the Rockets securing maximum points on home soil.

TS Galaxy: (0) 1 (S.Mahlangu 68’)

Orlando Pirates: 0

TS Galaxy: Ntwari, Sebelebele, Sanoka, M.Mahlangu, Kabini, Khiba (Seema 92’), Mvelase, Mbatha, Mojela, Dithejane (Mbunjana 80’), S.Mahlangu (Nurkovic 83’)

Orlando Pirates: Chaine, Maela (Kavendji 60’), Sibisi, Ndah (Sesane 46’), Monyane, Makhaula (Pule 73’), Mbatha, Mofokeng, Maswanganyi, Dlamini, Mabasa (Makgopa 72’)