Nedbank Cup: Galaxy edge Gallants as Mkhambathi pull off giant-killing act

TS Galaxy and University of Pretoria (AmaTuks) secured their passage to the Nedbank Cup Round of 16 following a dramatic Sunday of cup football characterized by extra-time heroics and penalty shootout tension.

At the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium, TS Galaxy ended Marumo Gallants’ cup aspirations with a hard-fought 1-0 victory. After a goalless 90 minutes where neither side could break the deadlock, the game was forced into extra time.

The breakthrough finally came via the boots of veteran marksman Victor Letsoalo. His clinical strike in the additional period was enough to dump the Bloemfontein-based side out of the competition. With this win, the Rockets join heavyweights Mamelodi Sundowns, Orlando Pirates, and Stellenbosch FC in the next round.

AmaTuks and Richards Bay Survive Penalty Lotteries in Nedbank Cup

In a battle of Motsepe Foundation Championship sides, AmaTuks relied on nerves of steel to overcome Hungry Lions 5-4 on penalties. The match ended 1-1 after 120 minutes of grueling action. The University of Pretoria, who famously reached the semi-finals in 2024, will be hoping this shootout success sparks another deep run in the competition.

Similarly, Richards Bay FC survived a six-goal thriller at the Dr. Petrus Molemela Stadium. After playing out a breathless 3-3 draw against Siwelele FC through extra time, the Natal Rich Boyz eventually prevailed 4-3 in the penalty shootout to book their spot in the Last 16.

The story of the round came from the ABC Motsepe League, as KwaZulu-Natal’s Mkhambathi FC pulled off a massive giant-killing act. The third-tier side stunned NFD outfit Lerumo Lions FC with a 2-1 victory, proving once again why the Nedbank Cup is often referred to as the “tournament of dreams.”

Arrows Breeze Past Orbit in Rescheduled Tie

Following Saturday’s weather-induced postponement, Lamontville Golden Arrows made light work of Orbit College in their rescheduled fixture. Leading 1-0 from Saturday’s aborted first half thanks to a Lungelo Nguse penalty, Manqoba Mngqithi’s men added two more on Sunday to finish with a comfortable 3-0 scoreline at King Zwelithini Stadium.

Nedbank Cup Sunday Results:

TS Galaxy 1-0 Marumo Gallants (AET)

Hungry Lions 1-1 AmaTuks (Tuks win 5-3 on pens)

Mkhambathi FC 2-1 Lerumo Lions

Siwelele FC 3-3 Richards Bay (Bay win 4-3 on pens)

Golden Arrows 3-0 Orbit College