Newly-promoted Durban City began their Betway Premiership campaign with a 2-0 win away to TS Galaxy on Sunday afternoon.
Galaxy coach Adnan Beganovic named an unchanged side following the MTN8 loss to Sekhukhune United last weekend, while Trevor Mokwena, Brooklyn Poggenpoel, Haashim Domingo and Darren Keet made their debuts for City.
The league’s new boys were keen to settle first through a penetrative shot in the area by Domingo, but he missed target after some good work by Samkelo Maseko.
Maseko looked to go on himself in the middle of the opening spell from another speculative effort off a flick by Mokwena, but the opposite number Ira Tape smothered.
City continued to have the lion share of chances as Siphamandla Ncanana met a cross from Athini Jodwana in the box, but he headed over the crossbar.
The Rockets succumbed to the pressure a minute into the second stanza after Maseko pounced on a lofted pass around the area and finished from point-blank range.
Mokwena should’ve added a second goal five minutes later following a looping header off a cross by Katlego Maphathe, but he failed to hit the target.
City eventually doubled their lead in the 60th minute when a well-weighted corner from Domingo picked out Mfanafuthi Mkhize to nod in from close-range.
The Team of Choice made a substitution nine minutes later and introduced new signing Thabo Nodada for his debut in place of Joslin Kamatuka.
Galaxy’s first decent chance came with ten minutes remaining through a header by new man Seluleko Mahlambi, but he didn’t trouble Keet.
Both teams got moments to unlock one another in the closing stages of the second half, but the day belonged to the newly-promoted boys who started their campaign on a high.
Photo by Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images
Confirmed line-ups:
TS Galaxy: Ira, Motaung, Mahlangu, Ndamane, Sibande, Mahlambi, Maduka, Mgaga, Mvelase, Dithejane, Letsoalo
Durban City: Keet, De Kock, Mkhize, Maphathe, Jodwana, Poggenpoel, Maseko, Mokwena, Domingo, Kamatuka
