TS Galaxy defeated Mamelodi Sundowns 3-2 in the Betway Premiership at Mbombela Stadium on Tuesday night to hand Orlando Pirates the upper hand in the title race.
This result has caused a shift in the championship race, leaving the Brazilians’ dreams of a ninth consecutive league crown dangling by a thread.
As they wrap up their final match of the campaign, Sundowns sit on 68 points—a precarious three-point lead over a rampant Pirates. The math now heavily favours Abdeslam Ouaddou and his men. With two games still to play and a better goal difference, a solitary victory in their remaining two fixtures will be enough to dismantle the Sundowns dynasty and bring the trophy to Soweto for the first time in 14 years.
Sundowns visited Galaxy in Mpumalanga in desperate need of maximum points to gain an advantage in the title race, but Galaxy had different ideas. As a result, interim coach Bernard Parker sealed his first win in charge and ended the club’s 12-match winless run.
The Brazilians came into the clash against the Rockets sitting at the summit of the league with a three-point gap ahead of second-placed Pirates, looking to stretch that lead to six points.
TS GALAXY BEAT SUNDOWNS TO SURVIVE RELEGATION DANGER
In a match against a tricky Galaxy side, Sundowns had a dismal start, with all the early scoring chances falling to the home side. Masandawana conceded two goals in the opening 20 minutes, scored by Victor Letsoalo and Sedwyn George.
Letsoalo opened the scoring from the penalty spot after Seluleko Mahlambi was brought down in the box, and George doubled the lead after Galaxy launched a quick transition play.
The defending champions slowly gained momentum and managed to pull one goal back courtesy of Brayan Leon, who received a pinpoint cross from Teboho Mokoena in the 38th minute. A few minutes later, the Colombian forward equalised for Downs from the penalty spot, and the entertaining encounter went into the half-time break with the score level at 2-2.
Early in the second-half, TS Galaxy caught Sundowns napping to restore their lead with a team goal from Mpho Mvelase, who combined well with Sphesihle Maduna in the 46th minute.
With Sundowns chasing the game, Miguel Cardoso made a triple change, bringing in Tashreeq Matthews, Miguel Reisinho, and Khulumani Ndamane in place of Grant Kekana, Arthur Sales, and Marcelo Allende.
Though Sundowns applied relentless pressure in a desperate bid to salvage the match, TS Galaxy stood firm to protect their lead and claim a vital three points. This gritty performance secures their top-flight status with a game to spare, ensuring they avoid the relegation axe.
In doing so, the Rockets demonstrated incredible resolve to beat the champions for the second time this campaign, having already famously sent them packing from the Nedbank Cup.
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