TS Galaxy Defeat Kaizer Chiefs To Take Nedbank Cup

TS Galaxy stunned Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the 2018/19 Nedbank Cup final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

The result saw Galaxy become the first National First Division (NFD) club to win the competition after humiliating record 13-time champions Chiefs.

A 92nd-minute penalty goal by Zakhele Lepasa of TS Galaxy was enough to clinch the Cup, and pour more pressure on Chiefs’ boss Ernst Middendorp after his team finished ninth in the league.

Middendorp made multiple changes as Lebogang Manyama, Kabelo Mahlasela, Daniel Cardoso and Siphosakhe Ntiya-Ntiya returned to the starting line-up after the Absa Premiership defeat to Chippa United.

TS Galaxy were the underdogs going into the Nedbank Cup final against the mighty Kaizer Chiefs, but Amakhosi have been in poor form this season, losing 9 matches and drawing 12.

Amakhosi had a decent opening with ten minutes gone. After quickly springing the counter-attack, Khama Billiat cut inside from the left flank and played in Bernard Parker down the right-hand side, who got ahead of his marker and crossed in to a dangerous position but it was well dealt with in the end by the Galaxy defence.

The Rockets were not upstaged by the glamour boys of Chiefs and produced some chances of their own. In the 20th minute, Terrence Mashego produced a delightful cross for Thembinkosi Mbamba in the box, but the striker couldn’t finish.

Amakhosi should have scored just before halftime with the Galaxy defence exposed, but Parker’s goal-bound effort was cleared away by Dube.

The score was 0-0 at the interval following a lively first half which had few chances.

The Soweto giants almost took the lead immediately after the interval. Kabelo Mahlasela found plenty of space at the back post, but miscued his cut-back with the ball falling to Manyama, whose attempted chip sailed just wide of the left-hand upright.

After an hour, Lepasa, on loan from Pirates, entered the field to play a telling part. He dribbled his way into the penalty area and was sandwiched by Kgotso Moleko and Teenage Hadebe. The referee didn’t hesitate to award a penalty.

Lepasa stepped up and sent Bruce Bvuma the wrong way.

Galaxy held on to record a famous victory much to Chiefs’ misery.

They are the first team from the National First Division to win the Nedbank Cup.