Result: TS Galaxy 0-1 Kaizer Chiefs
Date: 05 June 2021
Venue: Mbombela Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs secured a top-eight finish after a 1-0 victory over TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Saturday.
Chiefs interim coach Arthur Zwane made one change to his side with Nkosingiphile Ngcobo replacing Kearyn Baccus. Meanwhile, Lindokuhle Mbatha, Mxolisi Macuphu and Macbeth Mahlangu.
With seven minutes gone, Masilakhe Phohlongo tested Bruce Bvuma with an effort from distance before Luckyboy Mokoena drove the ball into the middle before picking out Mxolisi Macuphu, who went wide of the upright.
Amakhosi took the lead in the 26th minute as Reeve Frosler's throw-in came off a Galaxy head and was flicked on inadvertently to Nurkovic, who nodded past Wensten van der Linde and into the back of the net.
Willard Katsande was yellow-carded for bringing down Sihle Nduli in the 39th minute. Bvuma, who was continuing his excellent recent form, made a superb save to deny Machuphu's header from Mokoena's resulting free-kick to keep Chiefs in the lead at the break.
Five minutes after the interval, Ngcobo looked to pick out Castro in the box from Chiefs' left, but the Colombian was unable to steer a shot on target.
Chiefs were patiently knocking the ball about, but struggling to break through the Rockets defence.
Shortly after the hour mark, Nurkovic slipped Manyama in behind, who went down under a challenge from Mokoena in the penalty area, but surprisingly the referee waved away the appeals.
The Glamour Boys had a chance to wrap it up in the 81st minute. Nurkovic got in behind on Chiefs' right after pinching the ball and fending off a couple of players before squaring for Ngcobo, who had the net at his mercy, but couldn't find the decisive contact.
That miss would not come back to haunt the Soweto giants, who will be playing in the MTN8 next season.
Galaxy: 16. Van der Linde, 45. Sanoka, 24. Modisane, 26. Mokoena, 4. M.Mahlangu, 8. Nduli, 18. Brooks, 12. Ndlovu, 35. Mbatha, 23. Phohlongo, 29. Macuphu.
Subs: 1. Heugh, 37. Fransman, 6. Mbunjana, 15. Aubaas, 27. S.Mahlangu, 11. Nyama, 7. Mogaila, 19. Lekay, 43. Modise.
Chiefs: 40. Bvuma, 22. Zulu, 39. Frosler, 4. Cardoso, 3. Mathoho, 31. Katsande, 37. Ngcobo, 35, Parker, 21. Manyama, 8. Castro, 9. Nurkovic.
Subs: 43. Akpeyi, 30. Ngezana, 20. Sasman, 5. Agay, 7. Kambole, 6. Baccus, 45. Blom, 19. Mashiane, 33. Radebe.
