Galaxy rise into top half with victory over Chippa

TS Galaxy have risen into the top half of the DStv Premiership log after a 2-0 home win over Chippa United at the Mbombela Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Sphiwe Mahlangu and Samir Nurkovic scored the goals, with the result lifting the Rockets (who have won three of their last four league outings) to eighth place on 21 points from 15 matches.

The Chilli Boys, meanwhile, remained in 12th place on 18 points from 16 matches and have managed just one victory from their last eight Premiership outings.

The teams took their time to settle into a rhythm, but Galaxy took a stranglehold of possession and began to create good scoring chances around the half-hour mark – the best of which saw Lehlohonolo Mojela head over the crossbar from Mark Munyai’s cross.

A few minutes later Kamohgelo Sebelele skipped through the defence and looked set for a brilliant solo goal, but shot straight at Chippa goalkeeper Stanley Nwabali.

Chippa had offered relatively little threat going forward, but on 43 minutes Augustine Mulenga sent a rasping shot on target which required a sharp save from Galaxy goalkeeper Fiacre Ntwari.

The first half closed with the score line blank and both teams opted for changes at the start of the second, with the Rockets introducing Higor Vidal and the Chilli Boys throwing on Thabiso Lebitso and Siyabonga Nhlapo.

On 49 minutes, Galaxy created a great chance to claim the lead, with Mojela and Sphiwe Mahlangu combining to give Solomon Letsoenyo a clear sight of goal, but his clean strike on target was turned away by Nwabali.

However, Galaxy deservedly claimed the lead in the 57th minute, as Letsoenyo provided a cross from the left by-line and an unmarked Sphiwe Mahlangu nodded home for 1-0.

The hosts went on to create further