TS Galaxy secured their Nedbank Cup semi-final spot with a 2-0 victory over Jacksa Spears at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Sunday.
The Betway Premiership side avoided becoming another upset victim in a competition already filled with surprises, as goals from Igor Salatiel Silva and Tshepo Kakora secured victory for the Rockets.
Galaxy welcomed back Oupa Motaung, Seluleko Mahlambi and Victor Letsoalo after their midweek loss to Orbit College, but it was the visitors who started brightly.
Jacksa Spears, competing in the ABC Motsepe League, showed early intent and forced goalkeeper Ira Tape into a sharp save when he parried away a dangerous free-kick from Bokamoso Seretsi.
Despite the early pressure, Galaxy gradually found their rhythm and broke the deadlock in the 34th minute. After a quickly taken free-kick involving Patrick Fisher, Silva rose highest in the box to head into the top corner.
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Spears responded with determination and almost equalised before halftime, but Tape produced an impressive close-range save to deny Sheldon Mashuge, while Sandile Radebe also fired narrowly wide.
Galaxy strengthened their grip on the match early in the second half. In the 57th minute, Kakora won possession inside the box and rifled a powerful finish into the roof of the net to make it 2-0.
The visitors continued to search for a way back and nearly pulled one back late on when Itumeleng Olyn struck a fierce long-range effort that rattled the woodwork.
However, Galaxy remained composed in the closing stages to secure the win and confirm their place in the semi-finals alongside Casric Stars and Milford FC, with the final spot to be decided between Golden Arrows and Durban City.