New TS Galaxy coach off to a losing start
The newly appointed coach Sead Ramovic lost his first match in charge of TS Galaxy, a 1-0 home loss to AmaZulu.
The Rockets remain 16th and last on the DStv Premiership log with two points from seven matches. Tuesday night's match at Mbombela Stadium was a fastpaced affair with tight, accurate passing and constructive attacks from both teams.
TS Galaxy players looked more confident and certainly were not disgraced. The match could have gone either way, but a 15-minute period in the second half, in which the home team conceded a goal and had a player sent off, saw the visitors clinch a hard-fought victory.
The first half produced excellent soccer but no goals. Vasilije Kolak made a brilliant save in the 12th minute from a shot off the boot of Usuthu's Augustine Mulenga.
TS Galaxy's first chance came six minutes later, but Sinethemba Mngomezulu's shot was off target.
In the 31st minute it seemed it might just be The Rockets lucky night when Pogiso Sanoka cleared the ball off the line after Kolak was beaten by a shot from Mulenga.
Mbatha was well off target with a free kick in the 35th minute.
Tshegofatso Nyama had a chance just before half-time but once again the attempt was off target.
AmaZulu moved up a gear in the second half and Luvuyo Memela received a pass from Tercious Malepe and put his team 1-0 up with an excellent shot into the top left of the net. Kolak did not stand a chance.
The Rockets remained positive and Nyama pushed the ball through to Mngomezulu who was on target, but the ball was cleared off the line.
TS Galaxy's hopes were dashed when Sanoka received his second yellow in the 70th minute and was sent for an early shower.
Despite being one man down, The Rockets put up a brave fight in the final 20 minutes, but could not score.
AmaZulu kept a tight defence and the one-player advantage made their job so much easier.
A free kick on the edge of the box was sent over the crossbar by Ebrahim Seedat on 80 minutes; a poorly taken attempt.
Mxolisi Macuphu fluffed an attempt on 90 minutes, once again a poor strike.
AmaZulu made it count when it mattered and scraped a welldeserved win over a muchimproved TS Galaxy.
The Rockets will face
Maritzburg United away on Saturday at 15:30.