Lower-league Galaxy will reach for stars against Chiefs in Cup final

Galaxy, who lie eighth in the 16-club second division, equalised in stoppage time before going on to win 3-1 at Arrows through a Zakhele Lepasa brace in Durban.

Chiefs, without a trophy since May 2015, trailed at Chippa after 75 minutes before Malagasy Arohasina Andrianarimanana, Bernard Parker and Zimbabwean Khama Billiat scored in a 4-2 win.

Galaxy and Chiefs will clash in Durban on May 18 for the trophy and a place in the 2019-2020 CAF Confederation Cup, the African equivalent of the UEFA Europa League.

The winners will also become seven million rand ($500,000/450,000 euro) richer — the biggest prize in an African domestic cup competition.

Galaxy were no-hopers when the round-of-32 kicked off three months ago but, to the amazement of South African pundits, they are in the final after four consecutive away victories.

Trailing to a second-half penalty converted by Zimbabwean Knox Mutizwa for Arrows, the lower-league outfit levelled on 92 minutes when Sandile Zuke conceded a headed own-goal.

Substitute Lepasa shrugged off recent poor form to net twice in the second half of extra time and secure a place in the final for the club from the eastern Mpumalanga province.

– ‘Arrogant football’ –

“We got better as the match progressed and what I loved was the arrogant, pure South African football we played during extra time,” said Galaxy coach Dan Malesela.

“Chiefs will be overwhelming favourites to win the final, but I have a message for them: we want the gold medals, not the silver ones.”

A brilliant Billiat goal with three minutes remaining sealed the progress of Chiefs to the title decider after a thriller watched by a 30,000 crowd in Port Elizabeth.

As a loose ball trickled toward the Zimbabwean outside the box, he unleashed an unstoppable shot that flew past veteran goalkeeper Mbongeni Mzimela.

After deservedly leading 1-0 at half-time through a soft Dumisani Zuma goal after a Mzimela clanger, Chiefs conceded two goals within six minutes.

Both came after crosses from the right with Andile Mbenyane levelling off a looping header and Lerato Manzini poking the ball past Bruce Bvuma for a shock lead.

Chiefs reacted by delivering their best football in a largely disappointing season with Andrianarimanana equalising and Parker putting them ahead before Billiat struck.

“We fully deserved the win and I thought two of our Zimbabweans, Khama Billiat and captain Willard Katsande, were outstanding,” said Chiefs’ German coach Ernst Middendorp.

“Andrianarimanana is a quality footballer and getting better with each game. He can shoot from distance, take on and beat opponents and pass intelligently.”