Galaxy outclass SuperSport in Nelspruit

TS Galaxy outclassed SuperSport United 3-1 in a Betway Premiership match played at the Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Tuesday evening.

The Rockets extended their unbeaten run in the league to three matches and picked up a second victory in that sequence, thanks to early goals from Dzenan Zajmovic and Keagan Dolly, as well as a late strike from Thokozani Sibanyoni, with the result pushing them up to fourth place on the log.

As for Matsatsantsa, they have gone four games without a win across all competitions and this 10th league defeat of the season leaves them in 13th place – just two points above the relegation playoff zone.

After a quiet opening from both teams, Galaxy claimed the lead in the 13th minute.

Marks Munyai whipped in a cross from the right flank and Dzenan Zajmovic out-jumped Nyiko Mobbie at the back post before directing a header back across goal to find the back of the net.

The hosts doubled their lead in the 19th minute, as the United defence failed to clear their lines in the penalty area and Sphiwe Mahlangu was able to square for Keagan Dolly, who struck home a first-time shot for 2-0.

SuperSport, after their poor start to the match, upped their game and nearly pulled a goal back just after the half-hour mark, with Ime Okon getting on the end of a corner kick and hitting the post with a header, and the rebound saw Siyabonga Ndebele direct an effort on target, only for Solomon Letsoenyo to make a goal-line clearance.

In the 44th minute the visitors had a great chance via Samir Nurkovic, who had a free header from Lebohang Maboe’s lobbed cross, but the striker failed to hit the target.

In injury time before the interval, Lyle Lakay pushed forward from the left and let fly with a fine shot from long range that forced a great save from Galaxy goalkeeper Ira Tape, leaving the game 2-0 in favour of the hosts at the break.

CONTROVERSIAL GOAL IN INJURY TIME

Matsatsantsa made a triple change at the restart, introducing Christian Saile, Neo Rapoo and veteran striker Bradley Grobler off the bench, and they also brought on Oratilwe Moloisane and Terrence Dzvukamanja by the midway point of the second half.

Yet they were unable to really get at the Rockets’ defence, with the hosts happy to sit back, soak up the pressure and try to hit their opponents on the break.

Galaxy should have added a third goal in the 73rd minute when Kamogelo Sebelebele did great work down the left before crossing for Puso Dithejane, but the substitute had a fresh air miss at close range.

SuperSport scored a goal out of nowhere in the 88th minute, with Mobbie driving home a beauty from just inside the penalty area, but Galaxy scored a controversial third in injury time to wrap up the points.

Galaxy benefitted when the referee failed to whistle for a clear foul, which allowed Dithejane to race free on goal, before unselfishly squaring for Thokozani Sibanyoni to easily sweep the ball into an empty net.

Galaxy will return to Premiership action this coming weekend, playing away to AmaZulu FC on Friday, 14 March, while SuperSport will have to wait until Sunday 30 March for their next match, which is at home to Cape Town City.

TS Galaxy (2) 3 (Zajmovic 13’, Dolly 19’, Sibanyoni 90+3’)

SuperSport United (0) 1 (Mobbie 88’)

Galaxy: Tape, Munyai, Mvelase (Mgaga 72’), Ndamane, Letsoenyo, Mbunjana, Maduna, S. Mahlangu (Dithejane 72’), Dolly (Seema 90+2’), Sebelebele (Masiya 90+2’), Zajmovic (Sibanyoni 80’)

SuperSport: Goss, Mobbie, Okon, Ndebele, Lakay (Dzvukamanja 67’), Ndlovu, Moralo (Rapoo 46’), Lungu (Grobler 46’), Maboe, Quaicoe (Moloisane 60’), Nurkovic (Saile 46’)