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Galaxy, Polokwane play out goalless stalemate

football05 February 2025 19:31| © Backpage TXT
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TS Galaxy and Polokwane City kept up their respective unbeaten runs after playing out a 0-0 draw in a Betway Premiership match at the Mbombela Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The Rockets extended their unbeaten streak to 11 matches across all competitions, while Rise and Shine are now undefeated in nine outings across all competitions. The teams are placed 10th and third on the log respectively.

Galaxy made almost all of the early running, with notable efforts from Kamogelo Sebelebele and Solomon Letsoenyo, but Polokwane should have claimed the lead on nine minutes.

Raymond Daniels did great work to get free down the left of the penalty area before pulling a ball back from the by-line to pick out Thato Letshedi, who then proceeded to fluff his lines in front of an open goal for what will surely go down as one of the worst misses of the season.

Letshedi was in action again on 17 minutes, driving a low shot on target which forced a sharp save from Galaxy goalkeeper Tape Ira.

Galaxy went on to assert greater control and attacking pressure through the remainder of the first half, but again Rise and Shine came closer to breaking the deadlock.

On 39 minutes a cross-shot from the left by Ayabonga Gwangqa looped beyond the reach of Ira but rebounded off the woodwork – the subsequent loose ball should have been finished off by Daniels, but he was denied by a heroic defensive block.

The Rockets had a great chance to go ahead in the 44th minute when a cross from the right picked out the unmarked Sphiwe Mahlangu, but he was twice denied at close range by saves from goalkeeper Brian Okoth, leaving the game 0-0 at the interval.

Galaxy, who introduced Puso Dithejane at the start of the second half, continued their attacking dominance and created numerous chances in the first quarter hour after the restart, most notably hitting the post on 55 minutes via Victor Letsoalo.

Polokwane created the next notable opening, on 82 minutes, as a through ball put Appollis in on goal, but Ira moved quickly off line to snuff out any danger.

The Rockets piled on the attacking pressure in the dying minutes of the match, certainly ending the stronger of the two teams, but they were unable to capitalise and the game ultimately ended in a stalemate.

The teams will return to Betway Premiership on Saturday 8 February, with Galaxy at home to Chippa United, and Polokwane away to Richards Bay.

TS Galaxy 0

Polokwane City 0

GALAXY: Ira, Munyai (Seema 89’), Kabini, Ndamane, Letsoenyo (Dithejane 46’), Mgaga, Mbunjana (Maduna 89’), Mahlangu, Sebelebele, Zajmovic, Letsoalo (Dolly 69’)

POLOKWANE: Okoth, Makhubela, Nikani, Nkaki, Gwangqa, Maphangule, Kambala, Ramabu, Letshedi (Marema 46’), Appollis (Tshabalala 85’), Daniels

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