Galaxy’s long season ends in FA Cup triumph
Kabelo Boranabi | Tuesday June 17, 2025 14:07
The game was characterised by player squabbles, dismissals, floodlights issues and muti accusations as Galaxy scored two extra time goals in a final that served both the good and the bad of local football.
The tie had an electrifying start as Galaxy’s Dynamo Fredericks had his shot saved by the keeper on the fourth minute before Victor James pulled two saves to deny Systems on the eighth minute. Systems came closer to the opener with Kenanao Kgetholetsile on the 16th minute and Tshepo Keselebale on the 28th minute. The defending champions also came close to opener just before the half time break but the Systems’ defense came up tops. It was 0-0 at the break after an intense opening half.
The second half proved to be tighter than the first half with neither side having clear cut chances at goal. Galaxy looked comfortable with the ball possession while they were let down by the decisive pass. Systems on the other hand were happy to sit back and looked to catch their opponents on the break but their finishing was below par as it remained 0-0 at full time. With things heating up, the game came to a standstill as a fight broke out from both benches over a spilled liquid substance in the south goalposts.
The referee dismissed two players from each camp for their role in the fracas.
Just as the extra time was to begin, the National Stadium experienced a floodlight malfunction and the tie had to wait for a further 15mins. From the restart, Galaxy were awarded a penalty after Aobakwe Radikolana was penalised for a foul inside the area with three minutes to the end of the first half of the extra time. Nqobizitha Masuku stepped up beat the keeper to the bottom low corner to give Galaxy the lead in the second minute of extra time. The team doubled their advantage on the 25th minute of the extra time as substitute, Thabang Sesinyi chipped the ball ovee the goalkeeper to seal it for the miners.
The team also went on to dominate the individual awards. Victor James was voted the Goalkeeper of the tournament, while Gilbert Baruti clinched the tournament’s best player accolade as Seemo Mpatane won the coach of the tournament award. Mochudi Centre Chiefs’ forward, Dumisani Kubane, is the Orange FA Cup golden boot winner with six goals. Speaking after the final, Mpatane was happy that the team ended with a silverware after a long season that has seen them play almost 40 games including the continental competition while provides a solace after losing the league championship at the final hour.
“It was a very long season from our side and the performance today was not a true reflection of how we can play. From our side we understand why we played this way and the most important thing was to get our hands on the trophy, to get our feet back in to Africa so that we can go and play the (CAF) Confederations Cup,” said Mpatane.
The teams:
Galaxy: Victor James, Moagi Sechele, Thabo Leinanyane, Tebogo Kopelang, Tlamelo Kolagano, Nqobizitha Masuku, Dynamo Fredericks (Gift Moyo), Gilbert Baruti, Thero Setsile (Lesego Kereedilwe), Onkabetse Makgantai (Thabang Sesinyi), Neo Mokhachane (Wendell Rudath)
Systems: Maikano Tladinyane, Michael Tinye, Bophelo Macheng, Aobakwe Radikolana, Larona Modisaemang, Walter Sande, Tshepo Keselebale (Raymond Wetshooteng), Thato Ogopotse, Kenanao Kgetholetsile, Tshepo Kesenogile (Shaun Theron), Morgan Gaseitsiwe (Bokang Rathipana)
Systems 0 Galaxy 2 (Masuku 102nd, Sesinyi 115th)