TS Galaxy maintained their top-eight push in the DStv Premiership with a 2-0 victory over AmaZulu on Saturday evening.
Bafana Bafana goalkeeper Veli Mothwa resumed duty in Usuthu’s goal with Victor Letsoalo preferred ahead of Augustine Kwem and Sede Dion, while the resurgent Samir Nurkovic led the home side’s attack.
Usuthu made the earlier intentions where Hendrick Pule Ekstein drew a foul outside the box to win a free-kick, but the resultant attempt from Riaan Hanamub went wide.
The Rockets didn’t go guns blazing on the visitors from the KwaZulu-Natal province, but still managed to keep matters tight all-round and evidently enjoyed some control.
At the same time, Usuthu pulled to the fore around the half-hour mark and saw Zambian Augustine Mulenga flash wide from a pin-point corner-kick.
With halftime concluded, the Durban-based outfit made a substitution in Bafana Bafana new boy Mlondi Mbanjwa in the place of Zambian veteran Mulenga.
The Rockets utilised the visitors’ profligacy to good effect ten minutes in the second period and got in front when Thato Khiba dispatched Sphiwe Mahlangu’s assist.
Usuthu unfortunately failed to get the equaliser five minutes later when the presence of mind from Ekstein set Letsoalo clear, but the upright the denied the former Royal AM man.
More frustrations continued particularly up top for the Durban-based boys, with chances aplenty for notably Letsoalo, Mulenga, Ekstein and substitute Dion.
Galaxy took full control of the contest in the closing quarter when Nurkovic pounced on poor bit of defending from Usuthu and beat Mothwa with a calm finish.
The Rockets were able to hold onto the lead and registered a comprehensive victory to keep their top eight aspirations on track.
Confirmed line-ups:
TS Galaxy: Ntwari, Munyai, Mahlangu, Sanoka, Kabini, Mvelase, Mongae, Khiba, Dithjane, Nurkokvic, S.Mahlangu
Subs: Kolak, Mojela, Seema, Mbunjana, Semache, Radebe, Zwane, Mere, Rakwena
AmaZulu: Mothwa, Sikhakhane, Hanamub, Fielies, Gumede, Jooste, Motshwari, Brooks, Letsoalo, Mulenga, Ekstein
Subs: Mzimela, Mobara, Mphahlele, Ngobeni, Maluleka, Mbanjwa, Moremi, Kwem, Dion
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