TS Galaxy overpower AmaZulu to cruise to victory

TS Galaxy turned on the style as they brushed aside AmaZulu with a 3-1 victory in their Betway Premiership clash at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday evening.

The Rockets were on target in both halves, with Seluleko Mahlambi giving them the early lead, Keegan Allan’s own goal extending the advantage, and Mory Keita sealing the victory in the dying minutes. Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya pulled one back, but it was merely a consolation for Arthur Zwane’s side.

For Galaxy, the result marked a continuation of their impressive resurgence. After starting the campaign with back-to-back defeats, they are now unbeaten in four matches and climbing steadily up the table. AmaZulu, meanwhile, are still adjusting to a fresh chapter, having released several senior players during the off-season and opted to rebuild with a younger squad.

With the band in full voice at the land of natural wonders, Mahlambi carried his fine form into the contest, having already netted three league goals. His growing understanding with defender Khulumani Ndamani proved decisive.

The Bafana Bafana centre-back launched a pinpoint ball from deep inside his own half, catching Usuthu off guard. Mahlambi anticipated it perfectly, timed his run with precision, and clinically steered the ball past Richards Ofori for his fourth goal of the season and a 12th-minute lead for the hosts.

AmaZulu gradually found their footing as the first half wore on, with their best opening arriving in the 34th minute. Thabiso Kutumela worked himself into space inside the box, but his hesitation allowed Ivorian goalkeeper Ira Tape to recover comfortably.

After the restart, Usuthu pushed higher in search of an equaliser, but that only left them vulnerable to the Rockets’ quick transitions. Mahlambi once again led the break with Puso Dithejane alongside him, and when the ball fell into Allan’s path, the AmaZulu defender’s desperate interception deflected into his own net to make it 2-0.

Their night worsened in the 65th minute when Siyanda Hlangabeza was dismissed for a second bookable offence. Ironically, playing with ten men seemed to spark Usuthu, and they clawed one back through Ngwenya, who coolly finished from Hendrick Ekstein’s superb delivery to set up a tense finale.

But Galaxy would not be denied. Keita capped the performance with an 80th-minute strike to restore their two-goal cushion and secure a deserved victory, consigning AmaZulu to their second defeat of the season.