TS Galaxy’s coach Adan Beganovic was gracious in defeat against Orlando Pirates, but he remains resolute that the team has enough depth to compete this season.
Pirates beat Galaxy 2-0 in a Betway Premiership clash at Orlando Stadium on Tuesday night. Evidence Makgopa scored the opener from the penalty spot before fellow attacker Tshegofatso Mabasa came off the bench to head home the winner in stoppage time.
The Sea Robbers were understandably pleased with the result as they climbed to third place on the log. Galaxy, meanwhile, were dejected as they dropped.
The Rockets’ disappointment was justifiable. They arrived in Soweto on a high as they were on a five-game winning streak since they brought in new players after FIFA lifted their transfer ban.
However, Beganovic knows that losses—just as wins and draws—are part and parcel of football, which is why they must turn their focus to the Carling Knockout last 16 clash against newcomers Orbit College at Olympia Park Stadium on Saturday (3pm, kick-off).
“Congratulations to Orlando Pirates,” Beganovic said. “We need to go back to the drawing board for analysis, fix whatever we need, prepare for the next game in the cup, and then, again, in the league.
“At the beginning of the season, I said: ‘I want TS Galaxy to play football, and play more games.’ I think we have everything that we need: some youngsters, a structure, and a philosophy. So I think we have a great future, especially this season.”
Indeed, Galaxy’s future could be great. Despite not scoring against Pirates, the duo of Puso Dithejane and Seluleko Mahlambi have been in form since the start of the season, scoring three and four league goals, respectively, so far.
Beganovic also zoomed in on Veluyekeze Zulu, who made his debut against Pirates, saying the 30-year-old will strengthen the team over time.
“Maybe it wasn’t a good time to hand him the debut, but he showed his qualities,” Beganovic said. “I put him out because he got a yellow card. We also wanted to pressure the last line.
“But I was impressed with Zulu. He’s been with us, and had to wait for the FIFA ban to be lifted to register him. I think in the future he’ll play more and help us.”
Beganovic wasn’t a sore loser against Pirates so much so that he took the penalty incident—which Makgopa buried—on the chin. Siyabulela Qunta harshly penalised Galaxy after captain Mlungisi Mbunjwana cushioned the ball with his upper body against Masindi Nemtajela inside the box.
“We can talk about it, but it’s behind us,” Beganovic said of the matter. “We can’t do anything about it right. A penalty is a penalty, and we conceded a goal. That’s it.
The decision is already done. We’ll waste our time if we speak about it. Everyone saw what happened. I think it was not a penalty. But what’s done is done.”
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