Lehlogonolo Mojela was the star of the show as TS Galaxy beat AmaZulu 3-2 in the Carling Knockout Cup semi-final at the Moses Mabhida Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
The 27-year-old, full of energy, scored in the just second minute the game had started, finishing off a precise pass by Mpho Mvelase. He wheeled away to the corner flag to mimic the Skomota dance, which has been trending on social media.
From the scorer, Mojela turned provider. Veli Mothwa came out flying to hack him down and Higor Vidal sent the goalie in the wrong way in the 27th minute.
Then the glut of goals came with 15 minutes before the match. Augustine Kwem finished off from close range and while Junior Dion made it 3-2 after Samir Nurkovic curled home the third, with all coming in the referee’s optional time, Galaxy hang on to reach the final, where they will face Stellenbosch on 16 December at the same venue.
Madness started just second minute the game started. Mojela held off Ramahlwe Mphahlele before beating Mothwa with a precise finish at the far post. It was a brilliant pick out by Mpho Mvelase in the middle.
It was what was needed as the sparse of crowd turned out at the 55000-seater at the Moses Mabhida Stadium.
Usuthu looked rattled and could not find answers of the pace Galaxy provided in the first half, struggling to cultivate few strings of passes.
Mojela had another sight of goal in the 20th minute, turning Mbongeni Gumede upside before unleashing a thunderous shot but Mothwa was up to the task.
From that attack, Usuthu quickly attacked it at the other end but Hendrick Ekstein, clean through on goal, his shot was saved by the leg of Fiacre Ntwari in goals.
As Usuthu struggled to get the grips of the game, Galaxy increased the lead in the 27th minute. Mojela was released by Pogiso Mahlangu and although Mothwa came out flying to hack him down and did not catch Mojela, Bambiso was right to point to the spot kick. Vidal sent Mothwa to the wrong way to double the scoreline.
Ntwari then produced two quick saves – denying Riaan Hanamub and Mphalele from long and close ranges. As the latter chance was recycled by Usuthu, Ekstein, in front of the post, blasted it wide, much to the disappointment within AmaZulu bench.
Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi, alongside his wife in the crowd, continued to drum up the noise for his team, who went at half-time with a commanding lead.
Usuthu coach Pablo Franco Martin, in search to get back in the game, made three alterations before the second got underway – taking off Wayde Jooste, Ekstein and Mlondi Mbanjwa and replaced by Taariq Fielies, Tshepang Moremi and Augustine Kwem.
Kwem pulled one back in the 76th minute from a knockdown header by Dion. Usuthu put numbers forward in search of the equaliser and as they were left open at the back, Samir Nurkovic scored the third. But Dion made things interesting to make it 3-2 but it was too late.
