Durban City were crowned 2026 Nedbank Cup champions after coming from a goal down to defeat TS Galaxy 2-1 in the final at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday thanks to goals by Mfanafuthi Mkhize and Jean Lubumba who also scored an own goal.
This is a historic victory for City as it’s the first time the Kwa Zulu Natal side wins the Ke Yona trophy and it came in the season they just returned to topflight football. City who were the home side in the fixture enjoyed possession in the early stages of the game threatening the Galaxy goal with Samkelo Maseko proving to be a handful for the Galaxy defense.
Terrence Mashego came close to breaking the deadlock in the ninth minute but headed wide. Galaxy settled in the game and got their first real shot at goal in the 27th minute when Mpho Mvelase found Victor Letsoalo who missed the target. Nine minutes later it was Maseko again for City but he missed the target.
Three minutes to half time the Rockets won a corner kick, Siphesihle Maduna struck the ball into the box only for Lubumba to score in his goal trying to make a clearance, leaving Galaxy in the lead in the break.
Pitso Dladla wrung changes at the start of the second half, bringing on Luphumulo Sifuma for Haashim Domingo while Galaxy remained unchanged. There weren’t as many goal scoring opportunities created by both sides in the opening minutes of the half.
City found the equaliser two minutes before the hour mark through Mfanafuthi Mkhize from a Trevor Mokwena assist. Lumumba redeemed himself scoring City’s second goal in the 70th minute.
Galaxy missed an opportunity to equalise two minutes later with Darren Keet denying Igor Silva.
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