TS Galaxy 1-0 Orlando Pirates: Bucs’ Caf Champions League dream in tatters
The Rockets boosted their plans of qualifying for the MTN8 for the first time in the club’s history after defeating the Buccaneers at Mbombela Stadium
TS Galaxy dented Orlando Pirates’ hopes of finishing in the top two in the PSL after securing a 1-0 win over the Soweto giants on Sunday afternoon.
Masilake Phohlongo was the hero for the Rockets as he scored the only goal of the encounter in the first half and the Mpumalanga-based side was able to see out the match.
The Rockets were hoping to avoid a third successive defeat and also climb back into the top eight on the league standings with a victory over the Buccaneers.
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Former Pirates coach Owen Da Gama deployed experienced attackers Lindokuhle Mbatha and Mxolisi Macuphu upfront, while Given Msimango led the defence and Marlon Heugh started in goal.
While Bucs were looking to move into the top three on the standings with a win over the Rockets and also make it two wins in a row after defeating AmaZulu FC 1-0 on Thursday.
Wayde Jooste, Abel Mabaso, Nkanyiso Zungu, Vincent Pule and Kabelo Dlamini were all recalled to the starting line-up as coach Josef Zinnbauer made five changes to the team which faced AmaZulu.
Galaxy caught Pirates by surprise as the hosts grabbed an early goal just three minutes into the game through Masilake Phohlongo, who had also scored in the first round 1-1 draw between the two teams in January 2021.
The former Ajax Cape Town attacking midfielder headed home from close range to hand Galaxy a 1-0 lead after the visitors had failed to clear Ebrahim Seedat’s curling cross from the left flank.
The Rockets were able to cut open the Bucs defence with ease with Tshegofatso Nyama’s effort narrowly missing the target after he beat his marker before Mbatha was denied by goalkeeper Siyabonga Mbatha.
Pirates did threaten when Frank Mhango hit the upright, but the visitors were then reduced to 10 players in the 31st minute after Mabaso was red-carded having received his second yellow card of the game.
The visitors attacked in numbers despite being numerically disadvantaged and Galaxy also went a man down when Msimango was sent off after collecting his second caution of the game on the stroke of half-time.
The introduction of Deon Hotto prior to the second half brought some needed pace and trickery to the Pirates attack and he set up Mhango, whose shot was blocked by Heugh from a one-on-one situation.
Heugh was the busier of the two keepers as he finger-tipped Hotto’s attempt from a corner-kick over the crossbar, before producing a breathtaking save to deny Jooste with Galaxy under siege.
Bucs continued to push for the equalising goal, but they were wasteful in front of goal as Thembinkosi Lorch dragged his shot wide of the target from inside the box, before Mhango miscued his shot from the edge of the area.
The Rockets then stood firm at the back in the latter stages of the match and ultimately, the game ended in a 1-0 victory of Galaxy, who climbed up to eighth place on the standings and they will face Stellenbosch FC on Wednesday.
While Pirates, who are set to take on Baroka FC on Wednesday, remained fourth on the standings – four points behind second-placed AmaZulu FC.
The Soweto giants’ hopes of qualifying for next season’s Caf Champions League are out of their hands with two games left.
