Orlando Pirates ended TS Galaxy’s winning streak at Mbombela Stadium in a tightly contested Betway Premiership clash on Tuesday, October 29.

The two clubs went into the fixture with contrasting fortunes so far this season. Orlando Pirates won every one of their five opening fixtures prior to Tuesday’s game, while TS Galaxy were yet to win a game in the Betway Premiership. It was also The Rockets’ first home game in the league this season, with each of their four opening fixtures on the road.

TS Galaxy are infamous for having a poor track record away from home, and this has led to them suffering a very poor start to the season. The game on Tuesday was a shot at breathing life into their season and to continue their winning streak at Mbombela Stadium.

Kicking off at 19:30 on Tuesday, the game started off slow but very evenly contested. TS Galaxy seemed determined and produced the bulk of the better chances in the early stages.

However, in the 16th minute, this all changed when a long-range effort from Thalente Mbatha took a slight deflection that evaded TS Galaxy goalkeeper Ira Tapé, who failed to make what could be argued as a routine save down to his right.

TS Galaxy had cries for a penalty on the stroke of half-time waved away by referee Eugene Mdluli, and the score remained 1-0 to the visitors. The second half showed signs of promise for TS Galaxy once again, but they failed to do anything with the possession they had.

A lack of creativity and decisiveness in the attacking third let The Rockets down on a number of occasions, along with what seemed to be a lack of hunger at times.

Mistakes in defence let them down once again when Mpho Mvelase lost possession of the ball just outside the box. The ball fell to the feet of 20-year-old Relebohile Mofokeng who expertly slotted a long-range shot into the top left corner.

The final nail in TS Galaxy’s coffin came in stoppage time when Kabelo Sebelebele was handed a second yellow card and red card after the referee booked him for simulation in the 18-yard area. The game ended 2-0 in Pirates’ favour and TS Galaxy are now in last place on the log.

Their next clash will be on Sunday, November 3, in the Carling Cup against Magesi, kicking off at 15:00.