Good football won – and won big – this time

AN INFANT beat South Africa’s cup kings to lift the country’s premier knock-out competition.

Even by Nedbank Cup standards of producing major upsets this was big. Very big.

TS Galaxy produced the biggest upset in the Nedbank Cup’s history with their 1-0 win over Kaizer Chiefs at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Saturday.

The Rockets became the first National First Division side to lift the trophy, which comes with a cool R7 million cheque and a place in the CAF Confederations Cup.

The minnows’ win is a story of redemption. Galaxy were led to glory by a coach who has been ill-treated by a number of club bosses, not just Chippa Mpengesi, who fired him after three games in his second stint.

In his first stint, Dan Malesela was put on special leave before he was fired, even though he brought a sense of identity to the Chilli Boys.

Being looked down upon was nothing new for Malesela. It happened almost everywhere he has coached, whether it’s Cape Town All Stars, Garankuwa United or Winners Park, despite producing a number of talented players from his School of Excellence days.

The former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns player never let this get him down. Instead, he buckled down and continued working hard while using his previous experiences as lessons.

It would have been easy for Malesela to be demotivated – and even quit football. But he didn’t, because this is his life.

Tim Sukazi couldn’t have found a more ideal coach to build his team.

Malesela not only has an eye for talent, but his teams also play an enterprising brand of football that easily draws fans. They played in packed stadiums at Kameelrivier because they were entertaining.

Galaxy’s win is a life lesson on never betraying your principles, regardless of what happens.

Malesela never compromised on what he believed in, even though he was mocked for having teams that play good football but don’t win. On Saturday his good football won, and won big.

Now Galaxy’s brand will be taken across the continent in the Confederations Cup. It’s a remarkable rise for the team.