Galaxy surge into Nedbank Cup semis

TS Galaxy © Backpagepix

TS Galaxy have put themselves into the semifinals of the 2025-26 Nedbank Cup after they defeated amateur side Jacksa Spears 2-0 at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Rockets avoided the kind of upset that has characterised this edition of the national cup, thanks to goals from Igor Salatiel Silva and Tshepo Kakora.

Though Spears, who hail from the ABC Motsepe League in the Northern Cape, were ultimately outclassed across the 90 minutes, they put up a spirited effort and deserve great credit just for reaching the last eight of the competition.

Galaxy had the first half-chance of the match around the 10 minute mark, with Junior Zindoga putting a header wide from a promising left-flank cross.

Spears then found their attacking rhythm and offered a couple of threatening moments to the Premiership defence, most notably midway through the first half when Bokamoso Sereetsi drew a sharp save from Galaxy’s Ira Tape with a well-struck free kick.

Yet the Rockets showed their class and claimed the lead in the 34th minute, with defender Igor Salatiel Silva meeting a quality ball into the penalty area from Patrick Fisher and finding the back of the net with a perfectly-placed header.

The amateur side nearly hit back straight away, putting together a superb attacking move to cut through Galaxy’s defence and present Sheldon Mashuge with a great chance, but he was unable to force an effort past Tape, who did well to smother the forward at close range.

Galaxy enjoyed a 1-0 lead at the break and opted to shuffle their pack at the start of the second half, introducing Mpho Mvelase and Macbeth Mahlangu off the bench.

The top-flight side doubled their advantage a couple of minutes before the hour mark, with Tshepo Kakora dispossessing Siyabonga Radebe in Spears’ penalty area before curling a left-footed shot beyond the reach of goalkeeper Sanele Mbombo for 2-0.

Galaxy appeared in total control of the match, but a flurry of changes in the 61st and 70th minutes brought new energy to the visitors, who were achingly close to pulling a goal back via Itumeleng Olyn in the 75th minute – the midfielder rattled the crossbar with a thunderous drive.

Galaxy join Motsepe Foundation Championship clubs Casric Stars and Milford FC (who overcame top-flight opponents AmaZulu FC and Sekhukhune United respectively on Saturday) in the semifinals, with the last remaining slot up for grabs on Sunday evening when Betway Premiership sides Golden Arrows and Durban City meet at the King Zwelithini Stadium.

TS Galaxy (1) 2 (Salatiel Silva 34’, Kakora 58’)

Jacksa Spears 0

Galaxy: Tape, Fisher (Mahlangu 46’), Salatiel Silva (Zulu 65’), Motaung, Letsoenyo, Mahlambi (Keita 80’), Mbunjana (Dlamini 65’), Kakora, Ngwenya (Mvelase 46’), Letsoalo, Zindoga

Spears: Mbombo, Mvula, Radebe, Mahlalela, Radebe, Tsenodi (Qambela 70’), Olyn, Mofokeng, Sereetsi (Mokgobo 61’), Lebelo (Chweu 70’), Mashuge (Mhlanga 61’)

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