TS Galaxy booked their place in the Carling Knockout Cup final with a thrilling 3-2 victory over AmaZulu at Kings Park Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
Galaxy made a blistering start to the match by taking the lead after just two minutes. A brilliant pass from Mpho Mvelase between two defenders released Lehlohonolo Mojela, who settled him at pace and slid the ball past Veli Mothwa to score.
Galaxy were dominating in every facet and first to the second ball. With 22 minutes gone, Mojela found himself in space again and he fired to the near post but the keeper did well to save.
Soon after, Fiacre Ntwari kept the Rockets’ lead intact after an AmaZulu break in which Serge Dion fed former Galaxy man Ethan Brooks but the keeper had it covered by clearing with his legs.
Just moments later, the visitors were awarded a penalty after Mothwa upended Mojela in the box. Hugo Vidal stepped up and made no mistake to double his side’s lead.
AmaZulu were again denied by brilliance from Ntwari, who made a superb double save on the half-hour mark. Five minutes before half-time Abubaker Mobara unleashed a fierce effort that grazed the top of the crossbar as Galaxy escaped again.
Usuthu mentor Pablo Franco Martin made three changes at the break with Mondli Mbanjwa, Wayde Jooste and Hendrik Ekstein being replaced by Taariq Fielies, Augustine Kwem and Tshepang Moremi.
It was a quiet opening quarter to the half. Galaxy boss Sead Ramovic brought Samir Nurkovic on for Vidal and Thabang Rakwena on for Marks Munyai.
Moremi almost made an instant impact but could not get a proper connection on his shot with the goal in his sights.
The hosts deservedly pulled a goal back. A long pass into the box caused chaos as the keeper came out but Dion beat him to it and it fell for Kwem, who buried the ball into the back of the net.
Galaxy made it three in the 91st minute when the ball fell kindly for Nurkovic, who took his time and sent it over the keeper and into the top corner. AmaZulu pulled one back but it was a little too late as Dian pounced on an error from Ntwari to score but it was mere consolation for a dejected Usuthu outfit.