Jaded Galaxy bow out without a fight
Mqondisi Dube | Friday February 23, 2018 15:10
Trailing 0-1 against Mozambican side, Costa do Sol from the first leg, most had belief that the deficit would be overturned on home soil.
But instead, it was Galaxy who were backpedalling when the referee separated the two teams at half time after an uninspiring bout.
The visitors took the lead midway through the first half, and Galaxy simply failed to craft a response.
Their passing was languid as they laboured throughout the 90 minutes of a sleep-inducing game before few fans dotted around the National Stadium.
Instead, it was the visitors who looked more threatening on the break and could have had a second towards the end had one of their forwards not been selfish.
Overall, it was a contest that failed to ignite and fizzled out despite the handful of travelling do Sol fans breaking into colourful dance and song.
Galaxy, making their debut in CAF club competition, showed little adventure, as they were ponderous in midfield and toothless in attack.
Compared to their diamond mining brothers, Orapa United, Galaxy surrendered without a fight.
Orapa made their debut in the CAF Confederations Cup last season, and took Swaziland champions, Mbabane Swallows down to the wire, with some courageous display.
Galaxy’s season is now on the verge of imploding as they were knocked out of the Mascom Top 8, and are out of the Confederations Cup, while they are nine points behind runaway leaders, Township Rollers in the league.
Despite the early exit, Galaxy general manager, Bobo Moswaane said it was an eye-opening experience to participate in the Confederations Cup, and would gladly return in future, although it is a financially taxing competition.
“It was a good learning experience, participation goes beyond the 90 minutes. It was a case of showcase what we can do as a club and test the visibility of our brand. It was a litmus test of our capabilities,” Moswaane said.