Rockets blast Brazilians out of the Nedbank Cup
TS Galaxy caused a major upset in the Nedbank Cup round of 16 after they beat Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Saturday, February 21.
First-half goals from Siphamandla Ngwenya and Junior Zindoga did the damage for Adnan Beganovic's side, who produced an all-round solid performance to keep the Brazilians at bay for 90 minutes.
The Rockets had Masandawana's number once more in the cup competitions, having also eliminated them from the Telkom Knockout early on in October 2023.
Galaxy needed extra time to get past Marumo Gallants in the round of 32 courtesy of a solitary goal from Victor Letsoalo, while Bafana Ba Style did just enough to see off lower-league Gomora 2-1.
Masandawana looked to get their passing game going, although they struggled to create many chances and had to wait until the 16th minute to get a shot off as Kutlwano Lethlaku tested Ira Tape from range.
But they were punished for being too casual at the back on 19 minutes when Ngwenya intercepted a poor pass from Divine Lunga that was meant for Marcelo Allende and drilled his shot into the bottom left corner of the net from the edge of the box.
The visitors were presented with a golden opportunity to equalise moments later after winning a free-kick just outside the six-yard box, only for Nuno Santos to curl his effort over the crossbar.
Worse was to follow for Sundowns when Thato Sibiya brought down Seluleko Mahlambi inside the area on 32 minutes and Zindoga held his nerve to beat Denis Onyango from the penalty spot.
Two goals down at the break, the Tshwane giants looked for an early response in the second half and Thapelo Morena almost made an immediate impact off the bench when he latched onto a pass from Kegan Johannes inside the box and forced a save out of Tape in the 49th minute.
Tape was also required to tip Malibongwe Khoza's shot over the bar and showed quick reflexes to keep out Tashreeq Matthews' curler as Sundowns pushed to get back into the cup-tie.
The hosts nearly struck again on 73 minutes when Letsoalo found himself one-on-one with Onyango, who raced quickly off his line to snuff out the danger.
Themba Zwane wasn't able to beat the Ivorian goalkeeper either five minutes later after advancing into the box and firing off a shot on the turn.
TS Galaxy (2) 2 (Ngwenya 19', Zindoga 32' PEN)
Mamelodi Sundowns (0) 0
TS Galaxy: I. Tape, L. Motaung, M. Mahlangu, I. Salatiel, S. Letsoenyo, S. Maduna (T. Kakora 46'), M. Mbunjana, S. Mahlambi, S. Ngwenya (M. Mvelase 46'), J. Zindoga (N. Mgaga 81'), V. Letsoalo (M. Keita 81').
Mamelodi Sundowns: D. Onyango, T. Sibiya (T. Morena 46'), M. Khoza, K. Johannes, D. Lunga (A. Modiba 70'), M. Reisinho, N. Santos, M. Allende, K. Lethlaku (T. Matthews 46'), P. Shalulile (T. Zwane 61'), T. Ntsabeleng (B. Leon 46').


















