TS Galaxy shocks Sundowns in Nedbank Cup; Casric Stars stun Pirates as underdogs rise

TS Galaxy secured a surprising 2-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup Round of 16, thanks to first-half goals by Sphamandla Ngwenya and Junior Zindoga at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium. TS Galaxy coach Adnan Beganovic highlighted the choice to host the match at this venue as a way to give back to the community and expressed hope for future fixtures there, while Sundowns' coach Miguel Cardoso criticized missed chances that contributed to their exit, according to multiple reports from Yahoo Sports.

The match also featured a significant rotation in Sundowns’ lineup, which Beganovic said caught his team off guard but ultimately worked in Galaxy’s favor, helping his side capitalize on the opportunity to upset the tournament favorites. Cardoso lamented the missed chances after the match, emphasizing his team’s shortcomings in front of goal that led to the 2-0 defeat.

Elsewhere, Casric Stars advanced past Orlando Pirates following a tense penalty shootout, winning 5-4 after a goalless 120 minutes. Casric Stars head coach and chairman Mthombeni, who denied rumors of being an Orlando Pirates supporter, explained that his tactical approach was to neutralize Pirates’ key players and pace, relying on a stout defensive effort and crucial saves during penalties, as detailed in Yahoo Sports coverage.

Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou expressed disappointment in his side’s exit and urged his players to remain focused amid a challenging period, noting that the team still considers the ongoing league title race with 13 finals left in the season. The Nedbank Cup upsets underscore concerns about fatigue and the impact of squad rotation for top-tier teams.

Going forward, attention will turn to how Sundowns and Pirates regroup in their respective campaigns, as well as where TS Galaxy and Casric Stars will travel next in the Nedbank Cup. The tournament continues to highlight the potential for underdog teams to disrupt established powerhouses, raising questions about squad management and strategic rotation as fatigue becomes a growing factor.