TS Galaxy were dumped out of the Nedbank Cup after losing 2-1 to Motsepe Foundation Championship side Durban City on Friday night.
Nedbank Cup Last 16
Result: Durban City 2-1 TS Galaxy
Date: 14 February 2025
Venue: Chatsworth Stadium
Galaxy made wholesale changes to the side that beat Mamelodi Sundowns, as only goalscorer in that game Kamogelo Sebelebele and Dzenan Zajmovic were retained, as likes of Keagan Dolly, Siphesihle Maduna, Puso Dithejane and Mlungisi Mbunjana were recalled.
City took the game to The Rockets in the early exchanges, as Menzi Ndwandwe had a header in the box that narrowly missed wide.
However, Adnan Beganovic's charges were threat once they gained their rhythm midway into the first stanza after Damir Sovsic had a shot that came off the crossbar.
The game became scrappy, however, after the half-hour mark, with chances few and far between and the sides went to the half-time break deadlocked.
The Rockets had a dream start from the interval after Zajmovic broke the deadlock with a close-range effort following an assist by Sovsic.
As the game continued, the Bosnian coach needed fresh legs in midfield, as Dolly was withdrawn in favour of Sphiwe Mahlangu.
The Rockets had the momentum and created chances to get the two-goal cushion but were not clinical in front of goal.
The Team of Choice increased their aggression going forward with 11 minutes to go and Joslin Kamatuka eventually pulled them level with a strike in the box from a counter-attack.
City were guarded in the dying minutes as they restricted Galaxy and forced the game to extra-time after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
The Rockets started the second stanza on a high note as Thokozani Sibanyoni came close to restoring their lead with a strike that smothered by shot-stopper Ayanda Mtshali.
However, City fancied their chances coming from the half-time of extra-time as Senzo Ndlovu gave them the lead with a header in the box from a cross by Falakhe Tshanini.
The visitors were pressurizing The Team of Choice in the dying minutes as Samukelo Kabini had a chance to equalise but his shot was kept out by Mtshali.
City held on in the end and booked their place in the quarter-finals.
Here's how they line up:
Durban City: Mtshali, Ndlovu, Nzuza, Mdakane, Slawula, Hlangabeza, Bakah, Gaxa, Chonco, Ndwandwe, Nkosi
Subs: Mzimela, Nyulu, Tshanini, Mbidana, Ndlovu, Kamatuka, Magawana, Gamildien, Jodwana
TS Galaxy: Ciupa, Sebelebele, Seema, Kabini, Letsoenyo, Mbunjana, Maduna, Sovsic, Dolly, Zajmovic, Dithejane
Subs: Ira, Masiya, Ndamane, Sibande, Mgaga, Mbatha, Sibanyoni, Letsoalo, Mahlangu
