Dan proud, not complacent

TS Galaxy coach Dan Malesela (above) is not getting too carried away by his team’s 5-2 thrashing of Ajax Cape Town in a Nedbank Cup preliminary-round match, but hopes they can carry the same performance into their National First Division games as well.

Malesela has always complained of a lack of goals, as his team played attractive football but could not find the back of the net but the goals flowed on Saturday when Snethemba Ngidi netted twice while Tsegofatso Nyama, Siyabonga Khumalo and Lucky Setelele also got one each. Roderick Kabwe scored both of Ajax’s goals.

“We have been gunning for goals and it looks like we are achieving that now,” said Malesela after the match at Kameelsrivier Stadium. “We scored five today and hopefully it’s the start of us being goal-orientated. I am looking forward to more,” he added.

Malesela enthused about his latest find, 19-year-old Tsegofatso Nyama, who had a dream debut with two assists and a goal to show for it.

“What’s exciting for me is that we introduced a 19-year-old in Tsego Nyama and in his first game he created two goals and scored one,” said Malesela. The former Chippa United mentor was, however, not happy with how his team conceded the two goals as he felt they should have kept things tight at the back.

“I am not pleased with us conceding the two goals towards the end as it shows signs of indiscipline. Hopefully this will be rectified. We will need to discipline some of our players because some of the things they did were totally uncalled for,” he said.

Now Malesela wants the same performance in their next league game against leaders Stellenbosch FC.

“We will be positive because of the result. But we have to take it into the league. We need to focus on that and see what we can do.”

Maccabi, meanwhile, are also through to the last-32 of the Ke Yona after beating University of Pretoria 2-1, using a weakened team as some of the regulars, including Thapelo Tchilo and Collins Mbesuma, were given a rest.

Xola Mosiea and Dumisani Bohale scored for Maccabi and Mfanafuthi Shozi’s goal was not enough to upset their visitors.

NFD teams through to the Nedbank Cup last-32: Maccabi, TS Galaxy, Richards Bay, Jomo Cosmos, Witbank Spurs, Mbombela United, Cape Umoya United, Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila.