PIC: TS Galaxy earned their place in the 2026 Nedbank Cup final

TS Galaxy sealed their place in the final of the 2026 Nedbank Cup after a 4-3 victory on penalties over second-tier Milford FC following a 1-1 draw in their last-4 clash on Sunday.

The match was played in sweltering heat at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium and, when extra time could not separate the teams, spot-kicks were needed.

The 2019 winners, Galaxy, will play Durban City in the final on May 2 after the latter edged second-tier Casric Stars 1-0 in their semi-final on Saturday.

Milford took the lead in the 11th minute when Bulelani Sigomoshe broke down the right and his low cross was turned into the net by Siphosethu Ndlabi with a clever backheel finish.

It was a second Nedbank Cup goal of the season for Ndlabi, who also netted in the Last 16 victory over Mkhambathi.

It was also the first goal that The Rockets have conceded in this year’s competition after three successive clean sheets.

The goal came against the run of play after Galaxy had made a bright start to the game, and the home side were level on 55 minutes with veteran Victor Letsoalo finding the back of the net.

Letsoalo headed into the net from Seluleko Mahlambi’s cross from the left.

He took his career tally in the competition to nine, having also netted against Marumo Gallants earlier in the season.

In the first semi-final on Saturdayl, City profited from an early own goal by Sphamandla Mlilo to book their second Nedbank Cup decider after losing to Free State Stars in the 2018 final.

Galaxy were champions seven years ago when, as a second-tier side, they defeated Kaizer Chiefs in the final in Durban. They will be hoping for a second title, while City are seeking a first victory in South Africa’s FA Cup.

NEDBANK CUP SEMI-FINAL RESULTS

SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Durban City 1 (Mlilo 6’og) Casric Stars 0

SUNDAY, APRIL 5
TS Galaxy 1 (Letsoalo 55’)  Milford FC 1 (Ndlabi 11’)
After extra-time; Galaxy won 4-3 on penalties

TOURNAMENT STATISTICS
Matches played: 30
Goals scored: 69

Goals per game: 2.30

Biggest victory: CR Vasco da Gama 4 Luthuli Brigades 1 (Last 32, February 6); TTM 1 Orlando Pirates 4 (Last 32, February 7), Army Rocket 0 Casric Stars 3 (Last 32, February 7); Lamontville Golden Arrows 3 Orbit College 0 (Last 32, February 8), Milford FC 3 Mkhambathi 0 (Last 16, February 22) 

Most goals in a game: 6 – FC Cardinals 2 Jacksa Spears 4 (Last 32, February 7); Siwelele 3 Richards Bay 3 (Last 32, February 8)

GOALSCORERS

2 goals – TJ Diedericks (CR Vasco da Gama), Pule Ekstein (AmaZulu), Victor Letsoalo (TS Galaxy), Lundi Mahala (Richards Bay), Moeti Mofokeng (Jacksa Spears), Thuso Mogale (Casric Stars), Bradley Mojela (Sekhukhune United), Siphosethu Ndlabi (Milford)
1 – Yannick Angoume (Hungry Lions), Decide Chauke (Casric Stars), Andre de Jong (Orlando Pirates), Tauriq Dien (CR Vasco da Gama), Sede Dion (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Taariq Fielies (AmaZulu), Fezile Gcaba (Durban City), Ibraheem Jabaar (Stellenbosch FC), Tshepo Kakora (TS Galaxy), Ofentse Kgosana (Casric Stars), Thokozani Khumalo (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Vuyo Letlapa (Sekhukhune United), Siphelele Luthuli (Siwelele), Olerato Mandi (Sekhukhune United), Grant Margeman (Siwelele), Sheldon Mashuge (Jacksa Spears), Patrick Maswanganyi (Orlando Pirates), Ayabulela Maxwele (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Thalente Mbatha (Orlando Pirates), Sipho Mbule (Orlando Pirates), Tonny Mbunga (Milford), Sifiso Mdluli (Milford FC), Sibulele Mekuto (Milford FC), Kgotso Mizi (Cardinals), Ntshuxeko Mkhabela (Luthuli Brigades), Ntuthuko Mlotshwa (Lerumo Lions), Mpho Moake (Gomora United), Thapelo Morena (Mamelodi Sundowns), Mehluleli Ndelu (Mkhambathi), Sithembiso Ngobe (TTM), Siphamandla Ngwenya (TS Galaxy), Thandolwenkosi Ngwenya (AmaZulu), Lebohang Nkaki (Polokwane City), Bongumusa Nkosi (University of Pretoria), Itumeleng Olyn (Jacksa Spears), Michel Phigeland (CR Vasco da Gama), Cheswyn Philander (Milford FC), Bokamoso Seretsi (Jacksa Spears), Peter Shalulile (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bulelani Sigomoshe (Milford), Flávio Silva (Kaizer Chiefs), Igor Silva (TS Galaxy), Mfundo Thikazi (Casric Stars), Devin Titus (Stellenbosch FC), Katleho Tshabalala (Cardinals), Thapelo Tshilo (SSU M17), Angelo van Rooi (Lamontville Golden Arrows), Junior Zindoga (TS Galaxy), Xolani Zondo (Mkhambathi), Sbangani Zulu (Richards Bay)
Own goal – Sphamandla Mlilo (Casric Stars), Thabani Zuke (Richards Bay)