NELSPRUIT, SOUTH AFRICA – FEBRUARY 11: Dzenan Zajmovic of TS Galaxy FC and Tashreeq Matthews of Mamelodi Sundowns during the Betway Premiership match between TS Galaxy and Mamelodi Sundowns at Mbombela Stadium on February 11, 2025 in Nelspruit, South Africa. (Photo by Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images)
Mamelodi Sundowns suffered their first defeat in the Betway Premiership under Miguel Cardoso after going down 1-0 to TS Galaxy on Tuesday night.
Betway Premiership
Result: TS Galaxy 1-0 Mamelodi Sundowns
Date: 11 February 2025
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
The Brazilians made only two changes from their thumping win over Orlando Pirates, as Tashreeq Matthews and Kegan Johannes were brought in places of Iqraam Rayners and Thapelo Morena.
Galaxy made their intentions of taking the game to Masandawana clear in the opening exchanges, with Kamogelo Sebelebele coming close with a strike that flashed narrowly wide.
However, Miguel Cardoso’s charges were a threat going forward as just before the half-hour mark Lucas Ribeiro Costa came close to breaking the deadlock with a strike that hit the upright.
The Rockets continued to impose their attacking game on Sundowns and with ten minutes remaining of the first stanza, Khulumani Ndamane almost sent the hosts ahead with a well-placed free-kick that was tipped out of the top corner by goalkeeper Ronwen Williams.
Galaxy’s persistence paid off just before the interval after Sebelebele squeezed a low shot between the legs of Williams at the near post after a through ball by Dzenan Zajmovic.
Cardoso responded with an attacking change at halftime, as he eventually brought in Rayners in place of Matthews.
Masandawana had the urgency going forward in the early exchanges of the second stanza but only threatened to equalise around the hour-mark after Teboho Mokoena had a strike from the edge of the box that was saved by shot-stopper Ira Tape.
Sundowns pinned back The Rockets inside their own half and with eight minutes remaining, Mokoena was unfortunate not to make it 1-1 after his curler beat Tape but hit the outside of the post.
Adnan Beganovic made an attacking change after that as former Kaizer Chiefs and The Brazilians midfielder Keagan Dolly replaced Zajmovic, in a change of approach going forward.
Galaxy continued to defend deep and in numbers in the dying minutes, as they frustrated the visitors and held on to a narrow win.
The victory took The Rockets up to fourth in the standings while Sundowns remained nine points clear at the top of the log.
Here’s how they lined up:
TS Galaxy: 16. Ira, 23. Munyai, 5. Kabini, 25. Ndamane, 7. Sibande, 2. Mvelase, 28. Mgaga, 21. Sebelebele, 17. Letsoalo, 11. S. Mahlangu, 9. Zajmovic.
Subs: 32. Ciupa, 34. Maduna, 45. Seema, 8. Mbunjana, 15. Dithejane, 40. Dolly, 20. Sovsic, 3. Letsoenyo, 19. Sibanyoni
Mamelodi Sundowns: 30. Williams, 37. Johannes, 20. Kekana, 32. Suarez, 6. Modiba, 4. Mokoena, 11. Allende, 10. Ribeiro, 44. Adams, 17. Matthews, 38. Shalulile
Subs: 1. Onyango, 27. Morena, 42. Khoza, 31. Tiwani, 15. Aubaas, 21. Mkhulise, 19. Kodisang, 33. Maseko, 13. Rayners
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