Nedbank Cup Final
Result: Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 TS Galaxy
Date: 18 May 2019
Venue: Moses Mabhida Stadium
Kaizer Chiefs' poor season just got worse after they suffered defeat to National First Division side TS Galaxy in the Nedbank Cup final.
Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp handed Lebogang Manyama a start despite the attacking midfielder having had precious little match practice of late.
Amakhosi had a decent opening with ten minutes gone. After quickly springing the counter-attack, Khama Billiat cut inside from the left flank and played in Bernard Parker down the right-hand side, who got ahead of his marker and crossed in to a dangerous position but it was well dealt with in the end by the Galaxy defence.
The Rockets were more than pulling their weight, having a fair share of the possession and even causing their more-fancied opponents a few problems in defence.
In the 20th minute, Thembinkosi Mbamba played Terrence Mashego in behind the Chiefs defence down the left-hand side, who returned the favour by crossing to Mbamba in the box, but the forward could not direct his effort on goal from a promising position.
Middendorp's side began to enjoy the majority of the possession but were unable to penetrate. Galaxy were forced in to an early change, with Mbamba coming off for Sinethemba Ngidi.
Chiefs came close on the stroke of half-time. Billiat got in down the left and squared the ball in to the box, with the Rockets defence making a hash of clearing their lines as the ball fell kindly to Parker, whose shot was blocked on the line.
Andriamirado 'Dax' Andrianarimanana was replaced by George Maluleka at the half-time break as Chiefs looked to get on top in midfield and capitalise from Maluleka's ability from dead-ball situations.
The Soweto giants almost took the lead immediately after the interval. Kabelo Mahlasela found plenty of space at the back post, but miscued his cut-back with the ball falling to Manyama, whose attempted chip sailed just wide of the left-hand upright.
Soon after, Mahlasela once again got free down the left-hand side, but his left-footed shot from a tight angle was straight at Galaxy goalkeeper Bathusi Aubaas, who blocked it away.
Zakhele Lepasa, on loan from Orlando Pirates, came on for Galaxy in place of Tshepo Chaine on the hour mark.
The possession was shared evenly among the sides in the second half. Dumisani Zuma came on for Manyama in the 70th minute.
Five minutes before full-time, Parker swung in a corner that found its way to Willard Katsande at the back post, but the Amakhosi skipper leant back on his volley and skied it over the bar.
In the closing stages, Lepasa dribbled in to the area and was sandwiched by Kgotso Moleko and Hadebe with the referee pointing to the spot. Lepasa stepped up and sent Bruce Bvuma the wrong way to seal the victory.
Chiefs: 44. Bvuma, 20. Hadebe, 4. Cardoso, 18. Moleko, 36. Ntiya-ntiya, 17. Mahlasela, 31. Katsande, 6. Dax, 21. Manyama, 11. Billiat, 25. Parker.
Subs: 1. Petersen, 2. Mphahlele, 8. Castro, 12. Maluleka, 28. Zuma, 22. Zulu, 39. Frosler. Galaxy: 42. Mpakumpaku, 6. Aubaas, 45. Dube, 23. Mashego, 39. Nyama, Chaine, 21. Mbamba (Ngidi 36'), 29. Bodibe, 8. Nduli, 10. Mdlinzo, 12. Ndlovu.
Subs: 2. Phungwayo, 44. Myataza, 47. Shangase, 25. Lepasa, 7. Abrahams, Ndlovu, 26. Ngidi.
Subs: 1. Petersen, 2. Mphahlele, 8. Castro, 12. Maluleka, 28. Zuma, 22. Zulu, 39. Frosler. Galaxy: 42. Mpakumpaku, 6. Aubaas, 45. Dube, 23. Mashego, 39. Nyama, Chaine, 21. Mbamba (Ngidi 36'), 29. Bodibe, 8. Nduli, 10. Mdlinzo, 12. Ndlovu.
