Puso Dithejane netted a hat-trick for TS Galaxy, who came from behind to thrash Chippa United 4-1 in the Betway Premiership on Tuesday evening.
Chippa made two changes from the loss to Durban City as Giovanni Philander and Bandile Dlamini came in as Musa Nyatama was installed as coach for the night amid reports Sinethemba Badela could be on his way out.
Chippa broke the deadlock in the fifth minute when Dlamini came out on the left and picked out the on-rushing Khaya Mfecane, who tapped home from close range.
Versatile Mpho Mvelase got a golden chance midway in the opening half with a free-header at the back-post from a cross by Lentswe Motaung, but he went wide of the mark.
Philander could’ve doubled the home side's lead before halftime when he broke the offside trap to go level with the charging Ira Tape, but he dinked over the top.
Galaxy levelled five minutes to the break as Puso Dithejane pushed to the edge of the area and produced a stunning strike that sailed into the top corner.
Nyatama turned to the bench at the interval and introduced Boy Madingwane in place of Philander, while the Rockets were unchanged.
Both teams had a go at each other after the break, but the visitors came closest when a long-range drive by Mgaga forced Stanley Nwabali to palm for a corner.
From the corner, the Rockets seized control as skipper Mlungisi Mbunjana skipped past one challenge in the box and rifled home off the crossbar with a powerful strike.
Chippa were pulled to shreds again ten minutes from time when a cross-field delivery released Dithejane, who beat the offside trap and headed in first-time.
Dithejane continued to rule and completed his hat-trick with the last kick of the game as he pounced on a defensive error to find the bottom-corner, sealing an emphatic victory in the process.
Photo by Philip Maeta/Gallo Images
Confirmed line-ups:
Chippa United: Nwabali, Sithole, Ndlovu, Mfecane, Philander, Seabi, Mosele, Konqobe, Kammies, Modise, Dlamini
TS Galaxy: Tape, Motaung, Mahlangu, Ndamane, Letsoenyo, Mbunjana, Maduna, Mgaga, Mvelase, Dithejane, Mahlambi.