TS Galaxy got off to an explosive start at Mbombela Stadium with a 1-0 victory over AmaZulu in a DStv Premiership match last night.
It was the Mpumlanga club’s first home PSL game at the 2010 Fifa World Cup venue.
It was a hot, balmy Lowveld evening, with the smoke of Matsafeni residents’ supper fires wafting through the stadium, especially in the early stages of the game.
On the stadium’s doorstep live thousands of potential TS Galaxy supporters. In the surrounds live hundreds of thousands more. Once lockdown regulations allow it there is no doubt that the fans will be waiting in anticipation to attend home matches and The Rockets will build up a support base in the Lowveld, like the strong one they have in the Highveld.
With the performance TS Galaxy put up on the night, fans will not be hard to find. They were clinical in victory. Although only one goal separated the teams, The Rockets fired all night long.
A 28-minute header from Wade Lekay, from a corner kick, gave TS Galaxy the win. But the three log points were earned by the team. For so early in the season they gelled exceptionally well. No doubt much hard work has taken place on the training pitch.
The home side took about 10 minutes to shake off the nerves, but soon settled into a game plan for which AmaZulu had no answer.
The Rockets did the basics exceptionally well. Short, accurate passes and patience took the ball upfield. AmaZulu were not as clinical and looked like a team still working on the tactical plan.
TS Galaxy held a well-deserved half-time lead.
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They continued the second in the same fine form. The Rockets had the better possession and territory and defended exceptionally well.
Ebrahim Seedat was in fine form and did not stop looking for work for 90 minutes. He delivered the corner that produced the goal.
Mlungisi Mbunjana played with his heart on his sleeve and certainly let the Usuthu players know he was on the pitch.
In goal, Wenston van der Linde was a colossus. He played with the confidence of a goalie whose defence is looking after him. In the final 10 minutes of the match he stopped two powerful shots which were both on target.
AmaZulu gave it their all in the final 15 minutes of the match, but The Rockets’ defence could not be bridged.
The Rockets lost Bevan Fransman at half-time. The veteran talisman, who scored The Rockets first-ever PSL goal against Tshakama FC on Sunday, left the field with an injury.
The win launched The Rockets to fourth place on the log which they share with Swallows and Cape Town City.
Their next DStv Premiership game is against Kaizer Chiefs at FNB Stadium next Wednesday night.
