TS Galaxy continued their late push for CAF Champions League football with a 2-1 victory over Moroka Swallows at the Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium on Friday, April 26.
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Sead Ramovic's side picked up their fourth win in five matches as they climbed above SuperSport United into fifth place, leaving the Dube Birds winless in their last four outings down in 14th spot.
Galaxy were looking to bounce back from a 2-1 home defeat to Stellenbosch last Sunday which halted their run of three successive wins, while Swallows went in search of a first victory in four games, having played out to a 2-2 draw with league leaders Mamelodi Sundowns most recently.
Ramovic made just one change from the clash with the Maroons as Mpho Mvelase came in for Thato Khiba. Dube Birds counterpart Musa Nyatama also went with largely the same starting line-up, bringing in Siyabonga Khumalo and Tlakusani Mthethwa for Jacob Everson and Lindokuhle Mtshali.
The Mpumalanga outfit had scored in each of their last four matches and they drew first blood in Pretoria when Sphiwe Mahlangu slotted home in the 35th minute to register his fourth goal of the season.
Despite taking the lead, Ramovic quickly made a couple of substitutions moments later as Samir Nurkovic replaced Kamogelo Sebelebele and Puso Dithejane made way for Orebotse Mongae.
Nyatama also looked to his bench early and brought on Lwanda Mbanjwa for the ineffectual Mthethwa at the start of the second half, but it was the hosts who reaped the benefits after Nurkovic doubled their advantage on the hour mark.
However, the Birds were given hope of salvaging something from the game when Gabadinho Mhango halved the deficit from the penalty spot in the 80th minute.
Galaxy would hold on though, as they made it 11 wins for the season to close within six points of Stellies in the race for a top-two finish.
TS Galaxy (1) 2 (S. Mahlangu 35', Nurkovic 60')
Moroka Swallows (0) 1 (Mhango 80' PEN)
TS Galaxy: F. Ntwari, M. Munyai, M. Mahlangu, P. Sanoka, S. Kabini, M. Mbunjana, K. Sebelebele (S. Nurkovic 37'), M. Mvelase, P. Dithejane (O. Mongae 37'), L. Mojela (L. Mbatha 79'), S. Mahlangu.
Moroka Swallows: D. Akpeyi, M. Mphahlele, K. Mngonyama, N. Nyauza, N. Ngqonga, R. Sanou, L. Phalane, S. Khumalo, T. Mthethwa (L. Mbanjwa 46'), A. Mahlonoko, G. Mhango.