Magesi outclass Durban City to vacate relegation zone, Galaxy woes continue

Durban City striker Jean Lwamba under the challenge of a Magesi player

Goals rained at Seshego Stadium, where Magesi FC eased their relegation troubles following a 5-2 Betway Premiership victory over visiting Durban City FC on Sunday evening.

Having spent several weeks at the bottom of the table, Magesi finally uprooted themselves in a seven-goal thriller to climb two rungs and settle on 14th spot. But for Nedbank Cup-finalists Durban City, it was a third successive league defeat, leaving them unmoved at number six after 25 matches

First to find the target were Magesi, who scored through midfielder Mcedi Vandala, who beat City goalkeeper Darren Keet with a beautiful shot nine minutes into the match. But Jean Lwamba hit back for the visitors three minutes later.

Tshepo Mashigo then reclaimed the lead for the hosts in the 14th minute before Lehlogonolo Luthuli connected a feed from Orlando Pirates loanee Sifiso Luthuli five minutes later. Lwamba was on target again in the 27th minute to reduce the arrears for a five-goal craze within that period of the contest.

It was a match which promised more goals, but both teams returned from the halftime break appearing to have applied the brakes after some relentless attacking in the first half. However, the Limpopo side added some comfort to their lead when Kgotahtso Mariba gave Keet no chance in the 65th minute.

Vandala was back to complete his brace with 12 minutes to go and throw the contest beyond City’s reach.

TS GALAXY STRETCH PSL WINLESS RUN TO 10 GAMES AS RICHARDS BAY KEEP TOP-EIGHT HOPES ALIVE

TS Galaxy striker Junior Zindoga challenging Richards Bay defender Thembela Sikhakhane
Junior Zindoga and Thembela Sikhakhane: Picture by Richards Bay

Earlier in the day, TS Galaxy FC’s woes continued with a fourth consecutive defeat after they lost to Richards Bay FC in their own backyard at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday. Sanele Barns connected into the net Thulani Gumde’s cross from the right to settle matters two minutes before halftime.

It was three crucial points for the Natal Rich Boyz, who were fresh from holding Orlando Pirates to a thrilling 2-2 draw recently. They are now unbeaten in their last three league games and find themselves 10th on the table with high hopes of securing an MTN8 spot for next season.

But for TS Galaxy, it was another nightmarish outing, stretching their winless streak in the league to 10 games. It is a difficult run that includes nine defeats and a draw.

That has left the Rockets hovering around the relegation zone at position 12 with six points more than Orbit College FC, who are at the demotion cut-off point. Five games remain for Adnan Beganovi’s men to breathe life into their faint chances of ending the campaign in the top eight.

They will also be hoping that sharing the closing stage of their season between the Nedbank Cup final and their Premiership duties will not affect their outings.

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