Mpumalanga’s TS Galaxy secured a spot in the Nedbank Ke yona Cup last 16 on Sunday.
The Rockets are not strangers to this competition as they clinched it in 2018 while they were still campaigning in the Glad-Africa Championship, and became the only club outside the PSL to be crowned the champions.
The Rockets defeated Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the cup final to win their first-ever elite knockout competition on that day, and are now leveraging that experience to compete for the 2023 Nedbank Cup championship.
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The Rockets used their DStv Premiership experience and resilience to manage the game and easily slotted two goals against Amavarara FC at Bidvest Wits Stadium.
The Eastern Cape outfit approached the match with confidence. They gave it their all for practically the whole first half. They tried to score a few times but were unsuccessful and managed to contain the The Rockets for 40 minutes.
In just a space of five minutes before the first half ended, two goals, scored by Sphiwe Mahlangu and Masilake Phohlongo, inflicted misery on Amavarara and sent them to the dressing room in panic.
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The second stanza of the game started on a high tempo for Galaxy. They kept on asking questions from Khanya Mini, the Amavarara goalie, with wave after wave of attack and this forced the EC side to make a double change to turn around the game.
Sihle Maso and Thandolwethu Dayimane were brought into the game but they had little impact because Given Msimango, or El Capitano as he is affectionately known, was the public protector of Galaxy and locked down the defence with his outstanding performance to prevent Wensten van der Linde, their third-choice goalie, from conceding a goal.
The last 16 draw is set to take place today, Wednesday 15 February, at 18:00.
