TS Galaxy stun Sundowns to reach Nedbank Cup quarter-finals

TS Galaxy reprised their role as the “giant-killers” of South African football on Saturday afternoon, dumping Mamelodi Sundowns out of the 2026 Nedbank Cup with a clinical 2-0 victory at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium.

Despite Sundowns arriving in Mpumalanga on a high following consecutive victories over MC Alger in the CAF Champions League and Orlando Pirates in the domestic league, their quest for a treble of wins was halted by a resolute Rockets side.

Galaxy are familiar with beating Sundowns and other big teams, having won the Nedbank Cup back in 2019. They became the first lower-division side to achieve the feat by defeating Kaizer Chiefs in the final.

First-Half Blitz Sinks Sundowns

Sundowns coach Miguel Cardoso made wholesale changes to the side that defeated Pirates earlier in the week, rotating his squad to manage the heavy fixture load. However, the lack of cohesion was evident early on.

🏆 ℕ𝕖𝕕𝕓𝕒𝕟𝕜 ℂ𝕦𝕡 🏆

⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: The Rockets are leading!

𝐓𝐒 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐱𝐲 1⃣➖0⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬

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— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) February 21, 2026

TS Galaxy took the lead in the 19th minute through Siphamandla Ngwenya. After Denis Onyango had initially saved a header from Seluleko Mahlambi, Ngwenya reacted quickest, unleashing a right-footed strike from outside the box that found the bottom left corner.

The hosts doubled their advantage just after the half-hour mark. The lively Mahlambi drew a foul from Thato Sibiya inside the penalty area, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot. Junior Zindoga stepped up and coolly converted the penalty, sending Onyango the wrong way to make it 2-0.

Trailing by two at the break, Sundowns introduced heavy hitters Thapelo Morena, Tashreeq Matthews, and Brayan Léon at the start of the second half. The changes sparked life into the visitors, who began to dominate possession and territory.

🏆 ℕ𝕖𝕕𝕓𝕒𝕟𝕜 ℂ𝕦𝕡 🏆

⚽️ ⒼⓄⒶⓁ: The Rockets have doubled their lead following Junior Zindoga’s penalty conversion!

𝐓𝐒 𝐆𝐚𝐥𝐚𝐱𝐲 2⃣➖0⃣ 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐝𝐢 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧𝐬

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— SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) February 21, 2026

Ira Tapé, the TS Galaxy goalkeeper, proved to be the hero of the second period. He produced a string of world-class saves, notably denying Malibongwe Khoza’s long-range effort in the 48th minute. A close-range strike from Thapelo Morena just two minutes later. A goal-bound effort from Tashreeq Matthews in the 51st minute.

Galaxy Hold Firm Under Pressure

As the clock ticked down, Sundowns threw everything at the Rockets. Themba Zwane was introduced in the 61st minute to provide more creative spark, and he nearly pulled one back in the 79th minute, but his left-footed shot was saved in the centre of the goal by the impenetrable Tapé.

Galaxy’s defence, led by MacBeth Mahlangu and Igor, remained disciplined despite late pressure and several tactical substitutions by Sead Ramović to freshen up the midfield. Even with late attempts from Kegan Johannes and Miguel Reisinho, Sundowns could not find a breakthrough.

The result sees TS Galaxy progress to the quarter-finals, while Sundowns must now shift their focus back to the Betway Premiership and their continental ambitions, having seen another domestic trophy slip through their fingers in KwaMhlanga.