Bradley Grobler netted twice on debut for Sekhukhune United, who defeated TS Galaxy 3-2 in the MTN8 quarter-finals on Saturday night.
MTN8
Report: Sekhukhune United 3-2 TS Galaxy
Date: 02 August 2025
Venue: New Peter Mokaba Stadium
Sekhukhune coach Eric Tinkler handed debuts to Bradley Grobler, Miguel Timm, Tsepo Matsimbi and Olerato Mandi, while none of Galaxy's new signings unveiled this week made the matchday squad.
The Rockets got off to the perfect start when Mpho Mvelase opened the scoring on 13 minutes by nodding home from point-blank range after getting on the end of Kulumani Ndamane's knockdown.
It took a while for Tinkler's charges to get going, but they should have levelled matters in the midway period but Mandi sent his effort over the crossbar with only goalkeeper Ira Tape to beat.
Sekhukhune were made to rue that miss as Galaxy doubled their lead five minutes before the halftime break, as Victor Letsoalo latched onto Puso Dithejane's shot and controlled well before firing home from six yards.
The hosts, however, reduced the deficit two minutes later when an unmarked Grobler nodded home a corner from Keletso Makgalwa on debut for his new team.
Both sides came out firing in the second half in search of more goals but Galaxy were let down by their finishing, especially Mvelase who sent a header over the crossbar from six-yards out.
It was Galaxy's chance to rue missed openings after Sekhukhune pulled themselves level in the 64th minute when Grobler completed his brace by turning home a cross from Linda Mntambo.
Sekhukhune completed the turnaround with 20 minutes on the clock when Vusimuzi Mncube took the ball off Qobolwakhe Sibande before racing clear and firing into the far corner for his first goal of the season.
Galaxy were unable to claw their way back into the contest as Sekhukhune held on for the win and advanced to the MTN8 semi-finals for the first time in their history.
Here's how they lined up:
Sekhukhune United: Leaner, Thokolo, Mohamme, Letlapa, Matsimbi, Timm, Mkhize, Mandi, Makgalwa, Mncube, Grobler.
Subs: Ratisini, Langa, Mntambo, Mokoena, Cardoso, Malivha, Monare, Mapuru, Sihali
TS Galaxy: Ira, Motaung, M.Mahlangu, Ndamane, Sibande, Mahlambi, Maduna, Mgaga, Mvelase, Dithejane, Letsoalo
Subs: Maseti, Letsoenyo, Mbunjana, Mncube, Walters, Sibanyoni
