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05 February 2020
Ruzaigh Gamildien and Augustine Kwem scored second-half goals as Chippa United inflicted a 3-0 defeat on defending champions TS Galaxy at a wet Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium as the Nedbank Cup Last 32 got off to an exciting start on Wednesday.
Second-tier Galaxy had rocketed to the title last year with their defeat of Kaizer Chiefs in the final, but fizzled out in the rain as Premier League Chippa proved too strong on the night. It is the third season in a row in which the Nedbank Cup champions have been eliminated at the start of their title defence, after SuperSport United in 2018 and Free State Stars last year. Chippa handed a start to former Nedbank Ke Yona Team graduate Thabiso Lebitso, while Galaxy had fellow Ke Yona Team alumni Jeremiah Mathonsi in heir line-up.
The pair took the number of Ke Yona Team players to feature in the Nedbank Cup to
12, a list that grows every year as more and more top talent is unearthed. Lebitso proved lively with his forward play and impressed in what was just his second appearance for Chippa and first ever start. He will hope to build on the solid display in the months to come, while Muthonsi has been impressing all season for Galaxy in the GladAfrica Championship.
There would be no fairytale return to this stage for the Mpumalanga-based side though as coach Dan Malesela’s men were outclassed on the night by a Chippa side that reached the Nedbank Cup semifinals in two of the previous three seasons. After an even first half in which both sides created half-chances, the deadlock was finally broken on 63 minutes with Gamildien, who has been a tormentor of Galaxy in the past, opened the scoring with a rocket-shot from 30-yards. The home side doubled their advantage a little over 10 minutes later when Nigerian forward Kwem profited from a mistake by Galaxy goalkeeper Ludwe Mpakumpaku to tap into an empty net.
Kwem added a third late on as Galaxy pushed forward in search of a way back into the game, to complete a comprehensive win for the home side. The action will continue on Thursday when Ajax Cape Town host TS Sporting in an all-second tier clash at the Athlone Stadium. Kick-off is at 19h30.
Tickets for the Nedbank Cup Last 32 are on sale at TicketPro outlets and selected SASOL garages countrywide. Prices will start at R40 for adults, and R15 for children under the age of 12. Supporters can also purchase tickets online at www.ticketpros.co.za.
LAST 32 RESULT
Wednesday, February 5: Chippa United 3 (Gamildien 63’, Kwem 74’, 89’) TS Galaxy FC 0
LAST 32 FIXTURES
Thursday, February 6: 19h30 - Ajax Cape Town vs TS Sporting – Athlone Stadium
Friday, February 7: 20h00 - Stellenbosch FC vs Maritzburg United – Athlone Stadium
Saturday, February 8: 15h00 - Passion FC vs Real Kings – Kameelrivier Stadium 15h00 - Bloemfontein Celtic vs AmaZulu – Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium 15h00 - Amavarara vs Super Eagles – Sisa Dukashe Stadium 15h00 - Vaal Univ. of Technology vs L. Golden Arrows – Dobsonville Stadium 18h00 - Kaizer Chiefs vs Royal Eagles – FNB Stadium 20h15 - Mamelodi Sundowns vs SuperSport United – Loftus Stadium 20h15 - Highlands Park vs Uthongathi – Makhulong Stadium
Sunday, February 9: 15h00 - Jomo Cosmos vs Hungry Lions – Olen Park 15h00 - Orlando Pirates vs BidVest Wits – Orlando Stadium 15h00 - Black Leopards vs North West University – Thohoyandou Stadium 15h00 - Mbombela United vs Cape Town City – Kanyamazane Stadium
Tuesday, February 11 19h30 - Zizwe United vs Happy Wanderers – Athlone Stadium 19h30 - Polokwane City vs Baroka FC – New Peter Mokaba Stadium
TOURNAMENT STATS
Matches Played: 1
Goals Scored: 3
Biggest Victory: Chippa United 3 TS Galaxy FC 0 (February 5, Last 32)
Most Goals in a Game: 3- Chippa United 3 TS Galaxy FC 0 (February 5, Last 32)
GOALSCORERS
2 goals – Augustine Kwem (Chippa United)
1 – Ruzaigh Gamildien (Chippa United)
*The views represented are those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of Nedbank.