Royal AM defeated TS Galaxy 1-0 at the Harry Gwala Stadium on Sunday afternoon, securing their first win of the 2023-24 DStv Premiership season.
Thwihli Thwahla claimed the victory thanks to a second-half strike from Thabo Matlaba, with the three points lifting them to 13th place on the log. As for the Rockets, this first defeat of the campaign leaves them in third place.
Galaxy made the early running and had attempts through Kganyane Letsoenyo and MacBeth Mahlangu inside the first five minutes – neither of which troubled Royal goalkeeper Xolani Ngcobo.
Royal had their first shot in anger via striker Sera Motebang, who shot over the crossbar in the 26th minute. Sadly Motebang later suffered an injury and was replaced by Ruzaigh Gamildien a few minutes before the halftime break.
The Rockets had the last major chance of the first half on 43 minutes when Bernard Parker found some space in the penalty area and got a shot away, but he was denied by a fine save from Ngcobo.
The early minutes of the second stanza saw the teams trade scoring chances, with Galaxy substitute Thabang Rakwena shooting wide, before Royal substitute Mfundo Thikazi sent a couple of efforts off target heading toward the hour mark.
The deadlock was broken in the 61st minute when veteran Thabo Matlaba picked up a pass from Kabelo Mahlasela and fired a long-range shot which had the beating of Galaxy goalkeeper Vasilijie Kolak.
Galaxy looked for a path back into the game, sending on Thamsanqa Gabuza and Nkosikhona Radebe from the bench to try and bolster their attack. And they nearly claimed an equaliser via defender Pogiso Sanoka, who headed just wide from Parker’s cross in the 81st minute.
Another Rockets chance arrived in the 87th minute, with Sphiwe Mahlangu latching onto Radebe’s pass and shooting high and wide.