A superb display of reflexes and pure skill by TS Galaxy goalkeeper, Ira Tapé, earned the club a 0-0 draw against Kaizer Chiefs in the Betway Premiership at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday, December 7.

On a weekend on which The Rockets celebrated club owner, Tim Sukazi’s birthday, it was too much wrapping and not enough present for TS Galaxy.

Amakhosi dominated on the pitch and The Rockets were lucky to escape with a single log point.

The home team’s defence did manage to counter the speed of the Chiefs offence. But with the wealth of ball the visitors had it was only a matter of how many shots they would get on target.

And when they did it was the colossus Tapé who somehow got in the way. A big concern was the attack. TS Galaxy did not have a single shot on target in the 90 minutes.

Chiefs dominated from the first whistle, much to the delight of the majority of the fans decked in gold and black.

After just five minutes, the visitors created their first chance. Flávio Da Silva put Mfundo Vilakazi into space and he powered a shot to the bottom right corner of goal. Only lightning-fast reaction from Tapé prevented Amakhosi taking the lead.

Chiefs’ goalkeeper Brandon Petersen was a mere spectator at the other end of the pitch as Tapé was tested numerous times. Da Silva put one past Tapé in the 20th minute but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside.

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The second half was much of the same. Chiefs created their chances and only the Rockets’ goal minder kept the home team in the game.

Frustration crept into Galaxy’s game as the match progressed. Nhlanhla Mgaga earned a yellow card on 90 minutes for a foul. On 90+5 the midfielder committed the same offence and was shown a red.

The 0-0 score line flattered the home team. Chiefs had eight shots on target to Galaxy’s none.

The stats speak further volumes of the game. The visitors dominated possession, 56% to 44%. Chiefs earned 13 corners to the Rockets’ two.

Eight times Tapé was tested and eight times he saved his team’s bacon. His efforts earned him the man of the match award for the second consecutive match.

Kaizer Chiefs are fourth on the log with 24 points, and Galaxy eighth on 21.

The Premiership now takes a break to make way for the African Cup of Nations. The Rockets’ next match will be away to AmaZulu on January 25, 2026.