TS Galaxy (0) 1
(Petersen o.g. 49’)

Kaizer Chiefs (0) 0

Mbombela stadium, Nelspruit

TS Galaxy scored their first ever league victory over Kaizer Chiefs at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday, winning 1-0 thanks to a freakishly lucky goal.

Four minutes into the second half, Brazilian striker Higor Vidal’s shot rebounded back off the post and struck Amakhosi goalkeeper, Brandon Petersen’s head, before trickling over the goal line.

It was extremely cruel on the Chiefs skipper, who distinguished himself on a number of occasions, pulling off multiple saves during an end-to-end encounter.

In an open match, played in glorious sunshine, Amakhosi controlled the lion’s share of possession in the first half, pinning the hosts back, particularly via attacks down the right, where Reeve Frosler and Tebogo Potsane combined well to trouble the Galaxy defence.

It was from a well-flighted Frosler cross that Ranga Chivaviro had the best chance of the half on 11 minutes, but his header just cleared the crossbar by millimetres. Chivaviro would only last until the 29^th minute, when he pulled up with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and was replaced by Christian Saile.

The Congolese international showed his power and pace five minutes before the break and almost broke the deadlock after racing through on goal, only to pull his shot agonisingly wide from a tight angle.

On the few occasions the Rockets broke away on the counterattack, the new defensive partnership of Thatayaone Ditlhokwe and Given Msimango presented an impenetrable barrier in front of Brandon Petersen’s goal and snuffed out any threat to Amakhosi, as they went into the break with no score on the board.

After falling behind shortly after the resumption, Amakhosi fought back bravely in search of a leveller. Ditlhokwe headed over from a corner, and Saile almost scored when his sharp turn and shot was desperately scrambled away by Rockets keeper, Vasilije Kolak. Msimango will feel he ought to have done better when he headed the resultant corner over the bar from close range.

As the game became stretched and Amakhosi pushed men forward, looking for a goal, Galaxy were able to break at times, yet Petersen repeatedly denied them, including a double save when it seemed certain the Rockets would double their lead.

Coach Molefi Ntseki will rightly believe his team deserved something from the match, having played some sublime football in stages. Clearly, the team is a work in progress but it is becoming ever more evident that the side is starting to take shape and, with a few things going right for them, they seem not too far from clicking into a formidable unit.

Line-ups

Kaizer Chiefs: Petersen © (1), Hlanti (23), Ditlhokwe (24), Msimango (25), Frosler (39), Maart (8), Castillo (17), Mdantsane (3) (Zwane (37) 74’), Potsane (11) (Shabalala (42) 64’, Mmodi (13), Chivaviro (7) (Basomboli (21) 29’)

Subs not used: Bvuma (44); Nj Ngcobo (27), Kwinika (4), Solomons (18), Nk Ngcobo (12), Radebe (33),

Coach: Molefi Ntseki

TS Galaxy: Kolak (32); Letsoenyo (33), Sanoka (3), Mahlangu (4), Mvelase (2), Mbunjana © (8), Parker (17), Vidal (20) (Hlongwane (10) 55’), Mbatha (35) (Radebe (14) 55’) (Gabuza (31) 80’), Mojela (27), Sebelebele (21)

Subs not used: Ntwari (16); Seema (45), Rakwena (19), Mahlangu (27), Khiba (12), Kabini (24)

Coach: Sead Ramovic