Kaizer Chiefs crashed out of the Nedbank Cup after suffering a 1-0 loss to TS Galaxy at the FNB Stadium on Saturday evening.
It was a disappointing exit for Stuart Baxter’s team, who now look set to go a seventh year without a trophy.
Kaizer Chiefs 0-1 TS Galaxy
Chidi Kwem’s second half goal was enough to hand TS Galaxy a 1-0 win over Chiefs at the FNB Stadium.
An early chance fell for Daniel Cardoso, but his header in the third minute was off target. Khama Billiat’s long range attempt in the eighth minute also went wide. Brandon Petersen got his first touch in the 14th minute, when he made a save from Lifa Hlongwane, while at the other end Nkosingiphile Ngcobo shot over in the 20th minute.
A minute later Petersen was back in the action a minute, making an excellent save to deny Lindokuhle Mbatha. Galaxy were not happy from the corner that followed, as they felt they had a penalty after it struck Bernard Parker on the arm.
Kwem missed a chance in the 28th minute, and the former Chippa captain was off target again on the half hour mark.
Still goalless at the break, Petersen, who had been excellent in the first half made another save five minutes into the second half, as Kwem tried to header Galaxy into the lead.
Ngcobo had a glorious chance in the 53rd minute after being set up by Khama Billiat, but he shot straight at Galaxy goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi.
Action swung back to the other end, and this time Galaxy were not to be denied, Kwem running onto a back-pass from Phathutshedzo Nange, and this time Petersen was beaten by the Nigerian’s shot.
Looking to get back into the game, Stuart Baxter brought on both Leonardo Castro and Samir Nurkovic, who has just returned from injury.
Keagan Dolly almost finished off a good move in the 67th minute, but his first-time strike from in front of goal was blasted over. Two minutes later Nurkovic’s shot lacked power, and Buthelezi saved comfortably.
Nurkovic was denied by a last ditch tackle by Pogiso Sanoka in the 78th minute, as the Serbian almost pounced on a defensive error.
The ball was in the back of the net in the 83rd minute, but substitute Lebohang Manyama was off-side as he set up Castro. Buthelezi was able to make a save from Nurkovic’s header a minute later.
Chiefs pushed to get the equaliser, but Sead Ramovic’s team stood strong for a historic away win.
