Higor Vidal celebrating a goal with his TS Galaxy teammates

TS Galaxy dumped AmaZulu FC out of the Carling Knockout Cup as the Rockets ran out deserved 3-2 victors at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday to reach the final.

AmaZulu FC - Figure 1
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This will be their second final in the PSL as they beat Kaizer Chiefs to lift the Nedbank Cup in 2019. They join Stellenbosch FC as the last two teams in the CKO with the final set for 16 December at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.

The two teams had already met in the first round of the DStv Premiership season in August in Durban. Usuthu beat Galaxy 1-0 with Augustine Kwem haunting his former side with a solitary goal.

USUTHU CAUGHT NAPPING IN 2ND MINUTE

Lehlohonolo Mojela opened the scoring in the second minute, catching the home side napping after losing the ball in their half. The forward had received a defence-splitting pass from Mpho Mvelase.

Galaxy showed constant aggression and looked dangerous when driving forward with AmaZulu’s defence looking a bit shaky.

In the 23rd minute, Mojela came close to bagging a brace when he burst into the box, dropped the shoulder and unleashed a vicious shot. Veli Mothwa came out and made a spectacular save.

AmaZulu FC - Figure 2
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Moments later, Usuthu went straight up the other end and Henrick Ekstein had a chance to level matters, however, his scuffed effort was parried away by Fiacre Ntwari.

In the 27th minute, Galaxy were awarded a penalty after Mothwa was adjudged to have clipped and brought down Mojela in the box. Higor Vidal stepped up and sent AmaZulu’s shot-stopper the wrong way.

With the hosts trying to find their feet in the game, they created a handful of clearcut chances but Ntwari kept on denying them a breakthrough.

Higor Vidal celebrating a goal with his TS Galaxy teammates CAGEY OPENING EXCHANGES IN SECOND HALF

The action was a somewhat cagey in the opening exchanges of the second half with both sides struggling to find the space in attack.

Thus, unlike in the first half, there was a lack of scoring opportunities while Usuthu were forcing the visitors to stay in their half.

In the 75th minute, Usuthu pulled one back from the net through Kwem, reviving hopes to bounce back to game for Usuthu. Thereafter, Galaxy upped their gears as they looked to protect what they had.

The home side came back into Galaxy’s box repeatedly, seeking an equaliser but the home side was strong enough to keep it locked at the back.

Two goals were scored in the stoppage with Nurkovic adding the third for Sead Ramovic’s side while Junior Dion had an easy tap-in to beat Ntwari.

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