Seluleko Mahlambi scored twice to power TS Galaxy past Siwelele 2-0 in their Betway Premiership encounter at the Mbombela Stadium in Mbombela on Tuesday.
Mahlambi registered his first goals at senior level after thriving in the DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) for TS Galaxy last season.
The Rockets moved up to fifth on the Betway Premiership standings after claiming their second straight victory, their first clean sheet and their first home win of the season.
Despite a promising start to the season, Siwelele have now lost their third game in a row and fell to 12th on the table.
The visitors nearly struck in the seventh minute as Mlungisi Mbunjana took a dangerous delivery out of Vincent Pule’s path but into Nyiko Mobbie’s, though the right back missed the target.
Puso Dithejane was taken down by MacBeth Mahlangu on the edge of the box in the 20th minute.
The resulting freekick was taken by Mpho Mvelase but was sent wide by the head of Siviwe Magidigidi.
Mahlambi bagged his first senior goal for TS Galaxy in the 22nd minute as he headed Nhlanhla Mgaga’s corner over Gamphani Lungu and into the back of the net.
A special moment 🙌 Seluleko Mahlambi nets his first professional goal!🚀@aQuelle @aQuelleViV#Siyadumuza #TheRockets #TSG pic.twitter.com/l1sfo48Xyl
— TS Galaxy FC (@TSGALAXYFC) August 26, 2025
The 21-year-old added another to his tally, scoring in the first minute of stoppage time on the counter-attack.
The Rockets broke upfield with Dithejane, who unselfishly squared the ball for Mahlambi, who slotted it past Thakasani Mbanjwa to double the hosts’ lead.
HAT-TRICK MISSED
The Rockets continued to cause problems for the Siwelele defence at the start of the second half.
Mlungisi Mbunjana sped down the left hand side and into the box in the 48th minute, forcing Mbanjwa into action to deny the midfielder’s shot.
Mahlambi, looking for a hat-trick, attempted to curl the ball into the net from the left of the box in the 53rd minute, but his effort drifted wide of the far post.
Siwelele almost pulled one back in the 54th minute as goalkeeper Tapé Ira could not hold onto Magidigidi’s long range effort, spilling the ball into the path of Vincent Pule who forced the Ivorian shotstopper into a double save.
Mahlambi should have scored his third in the 60th minute as Mgaga found him arriving in the box unmarked with a brilliant cross, but he could not find the target with his head.
In the 65th minute, substitute Christian Saile managed to get his head to the ball in the box, but failed to hit the target.
Neo Rapoo fired a dangerous cross into the area in the 72nd minute but substitute Wayde Lakay could not get to the ball in time as it flashed across the face of goal.
Dithejane showed brilliant skill and movement around the box in the 78th minute, receiving the ball in the area where he faked out two defenders but had his shot blocked.
Sphesihle Maduna’s follow up from outside the box was hit well but saved by Mbanjwa.
Siwelele could not pull one back in the dying minutes as Pule’s glancing header was denied by Ira in the 94th minute.
TS Galaxy will look to extend their winning streak further when they face Orbit College away at the Dobsonville Stadium in Soweto on Saturday.
Siwelele will continue searching for their second win of the season as they host Richards Bay at the Seisa Ramabodu Stadium in Mangaung on Friday.
Victory secured 3 points secured. 🚀@aQuelle @aQuelleViV#Siyadumuza #TheRockets #TSG pic.twitter.com/VWDcY4iYxg
— TS Galaxy FC (@TSGALAXYFC) August 26, 2025
TS Galaxy (1) 2 (Mahlambi 22’, 45+1’)
Siwelele 0
TS GALAXY: E. Ira, L. Motaung, M. Mahlangu, K. Ndamane, K. Letsoenyo, M. Mbunjana S. Maduna, P. Dithejane (N. Nkosi 90’), N. Mgaga (J. Zindoga 67’), S. Mahlambi (Q. Sibande 67’), M. Mvelase (V. Letsoalo 79’)
SIWELELE: T. Mbanjwa, N. Mobbie (C. Saile 62’), T. Makhelele, S. Ndebele, N. Rapoo (A. Baliti 73’), S. Luthuli, G. Moralo (G. Margeman 46’), P. Sanoka, V. Pule, G. Lungu (K. Ayer 71’), S. Magidigidi (W. Lakay 71’)