Galaxy edge Gallants after extra time

© X (@TSGALAXYFC)

TS Galaxy have booked their place in the next phase of the Nedbank Cup following a hard-fought 1-0 win over fellow top-flight club Marumo Gallants in a Round of 32 clash at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga on Sunday afternoon.

The match went a full 120 minutes after being locked at 0-0 after the regulation 90, but the Rockets were able to make the all-important breakthrough in extra time via striker Victor Letsoalo.

Both teams created chances to claim the lead inside the opening quarter hour, with Galaxy’s Mlungisi Mbunjana skewing a shot over the target after a powerful run to the edge of the box from midfield.

Gallants’ Emmanuel Mwiinde then had an even better chance for the visitors, but blazed over with only goalkeeper Ira Tape to beat.

Mwiinde had another effort at goal just past the half-hour mark, producing an overhead volley after the ball dropped kindly for him in the Galaxy box, but his shot was straight at Tape, who made a comfortable save.

Goalless at the break, Bahlabane Ba Ntwa continued to create half-chances after the restart.

Jason Clifford played in a brilliant low cross that should have been turned home, and was also guilty of scuffing a shooting chance on the hour mark.

Galaxy then began to threaten via the likes of Junior Zindoga and Seluleko Mahlambi, before Gallants’ Sekela Sithole let fly from long range and drew a good save from Tape in the 68th minute.

The best chance of the game fell the way of Gallants’ Romaric Ouattara 10 minutes later when a smart pass from Mohamed Doumbia put him in on goal, but he was unable to beat Tape with a low shot.

On 85 minutes Galaxy almost spared themselves extra time with a volley from Mahlambi which crashed against the crossbar and bounced away to safety – leaving the game to finish 0-0 after regulation time.

Fourteen minutes into the extra 30, the deadlock was finally broken, as Solomon Letsoenyo chipped in a cross from the left by-line and Victor Letsoalo was on hand to direct a diving header into the back of the net to put the Rockets 1-0 up.

Gallants sought a way back into the game in the second half of extra time, but the hosts were able to hold firm, control proceedings and safely see themselves into the draw for the Round of 16 in the coming midweek.

The teams will return to Betway Premiership action next weekend, with Galaxy away to Durban City on Friday 13 February, and Gallants visiting leaders Orlando Pirates the following day.

TS Galaxy (0) (0) 1 (Letsoalo 104’)

Marumo Gallants 0

GALAXY: Tape, Fisher (Motaung 71’), Mahlangu, Silva, Letsoenyo, Mahlambi (Moletshe 112’), Mgaga (Zulu 120’), Mbunjana, Keita (Dlamini 86’), Zindoga, Letsoalo (Nguessan 112’)

GALLANTS: Arubi, Ncube, Eroine, Sikhosana, Mabotja (Luthuli 112’), Doumbia, Bance (Manaka 101’), Sithole (Otladisa 71’), Mwiinde (Kunene 90+2’), Ouattara, Clifford (Mabuza 71’)

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