Durban City FC made history as they were crowned 2025/26 Nedbank Cup champions after edging TS Galaxy 2-1 at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Saturday night.
The KwaZulu-Natal outfit staged a successful comeback after finding themselves trailing in the first half to lift the Nedbank Cup for the first time ever. It was heartbreak for TS Galaxy, who surrendered their lead when they appeared to be on course to replicate the 2019 feat when they beat Kaizer Chiefs to claim this trophy.
Durban City interim coach Pitso Dladla made a serious case for a permanent role by guiding his side to secure a berth in the CAF Confederation Cup next season. In contrast, Bernard Parker, who is in charge of TS Galaxy on a caretaker basis, missed an opportunity to lift a major trophy at his first attempt in his budding career and get the job substantively.
In his second match as TS Galaxy interim head coach, Parker maintained the team that started in their previous Betway Premiership match against Magesi FC, which ended 0-0.
On the opposite end, Dladla dropped Zimbabwe right-back Emmanuel Jalai for Siphamandla Ncanana. Winger Bokang Mokwena was picked in place of central midfielder Siphelele Mthembu in a tactical switch.
THE LWAMBA SHOW AS DURBAN CITY EDGE TS GALAXY
No clear-cut chances came from either side in the first half, but TS Galaxy striker Victor Letsoalo blasted his shot over the bar in an ambitious attempt, while the Citizens tried to respond via Samkelo Maseko’s powerful shot, which also went high off target.
With two minutes to halftime, Durban City forward Jean Lwamba went back to his own half to defend but ended up beating his own goalkeeper, Darren Keet, to hand TS Galaxy the lead. The Congolese forward tried to clear a cross in the box and beat Seluleko Mahlambi to the ball, but mistakenly fired into his own net.
After Parker’s side went to the break with a goal to the good, Durban City drew level 13 minutes after the restart. Some shambolic defending by TS Galaxy allowed a cross to pass locate Man of the Match Mfanafuthi Mkhize, who connected to beat Ira Tape in goals for the Rockets.
Lwamba then turned from villain to hero with Durban City’s winner after picking a set-up from Luphumlo Sifumba before releasing an out-footer past Tape.
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