Nedbank Cup

Nedbank Cup Preview: Golden Arrows vs TS Galaxy

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Golden Arrows are set to welcome TS Galaxy to the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium when they lock horns in the Nedbank Cup semi-final over the weekend.

Abafana Bes’thende will play at home for the first time in this season’s Nedbank Cup after playing all three of their previous fixtures in the competition away from home.

This will be the second Nedbank Cup semi-final in three years for Golden Arrows, who were also drawn at home to Orlando Pirates in 2017, but lost 1-0.

Steve Komphela’s side will be meeting lower league opposition for the third time in this year’s competition, having seen off third-tier Tjakastad Junior Shepard in the last 32 and National First Division side Witbank Spurs in the last 16, before their quarter-final victory at Bloemfontein Celtic.

None of Golden Arrows’ last 22 Nedbank Cup matches have ended in a draw, with 13 wins and nine losses during that time. Their last draw was in 2009 when they went out on penalties to Platinum Stars.

Abafana Bes’thende have played 12 home matches in the Nedbank Cup since 2008, and have seven wins and five defeats in that time. Komphela is still seeking a first trophy win of his coaching career, and led unfancied Manning Rangers to the final of this competition in 2004, where they lost to Moroka Swallows.

TS Galaxy are hoping to emulate second-tier sides Mpumalanga Black Aces (2008), University of Pretoria (2009) and Black Leopards (2011) in reaching the Nedbank Cup final. None of those ended up on the winning side.

This will be a third Nedbank Cup semi-final for coach Dan Malesela, who led NFD outfit United FC to the last 4 in 2013, when they lost 2-1 to Kaizer Chiefs, and Chippa United to the semis in 2017, where they were ousted on penalties by SuperSport United. On both of those occasions, Malesela’s opponents went on to lift the trophy.

This will be the fourth round in a row that Galaxy are away from home, having won at Umvoti FC (3-1), Jomo Cosmos (1-0) and Cape Umoya United (2-1). It is also the first time they are playing top-flight opposition in this year’s competition.