Eva Nga's goal gave Chippa United a 2-0 victory over TS Galaxy, sealing their place in the Nedbank Cup semi-finals. (Dirk Kotze/Gallo Images)
- Mbombela Stadium is scheduled to host the Nedbank Cup final on June 1, and the announcement came shortly after home team TS Galaxy were eliminated in the quarter-finals.
- Chippa United, who defeated the Rockets and advanced to the final four, will face Orlando Pirates in the first semi-final.
- Mamelodi Sundowns are scheduled to visit Stellenbosch FC in the remaining semi-final, meaning for sponsors and supporters there could be a “dream” final between the Brazilians and Pirates.
- For more Nedbank Cup news, visit News24's dedicated football page.
TS Galaxy suffered a double blow at Mbombela Stadium after being eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup, but while they are still licking their wounds, the Premier Soccer League has announced that the venue will host the final on June 1st. announced that it would be their home.
The Rockets are on an upward trajectory under head coach Sade Ramovic, who led them to the Carling Knockout Cup final, and despite losing some of their key players to better-funded teams, led the team to a strong showing in the league. He led them to fight against the enemy.
They had a chance to continue that trajectory when they hosted Chippa United in the last eight of the Nedbank Cup on Sunday.
If they had won all the way to the end, they could have ended the season in the home final.
However, they lost 2-0 to a resilient United, who will host Orlando Pirates in the semi-finals.
Stellenbosch FC host Mamelodi Sundowns in the other semi-final, setting up a mouthwatering position between first and second in the league. And the two best teams in the country have been undefeated for so long that they have forgotten what it feels like to lose. .
But that undefeated streak will come to an end when they face off at Daniel Craven Stadium later this month.
Read | A well-oiled Stellenbosch machine overtakes four Supersport cars to reach the semi-finals of the Nedbank Cup.
Chilli Boys were too hot for Galaxy who had a chance to win in front of their home crowd at Mbombela Stadium, but they beat it.
The Eastern Cape side's two goals came shortly after the Rockets had a chance to take the lead.
Eva Nga gave the visitors momentum just after the half-hour mark, just after Samir Nurkovic's stunning bicycle kick had tipped Chippa's goal.
But with five minutes remaining, the Galaxy were given a lifeline when referee Kwinda Orani awarded Sead Ramovic's side a penalty to Sirgio Kamies for handling the ball inside the box.
Pogiso Sanoka stood up confidently and tried to take the match into overtime. However, the Galaxy captain's penalty was saved by Stanley Nwabali.
The Nigerian goalkeeper, who stunned Bafana Bafana in the shootout in the Africa Cup of Nations semi-finals, continued to display his excellent shot-stopping ability in key moments, denying Sanoka's powerful penalty.
As the Galaxy were mourning the loss, they suffered an even bigger blow in the final minutes of the game.
Kwinda awarded Chippa a penalty after Leborn Seema brought down Abiwe Mkokozo in the box. Roscoe Pietersen made no mistakes and beat Fiacre Ntwali with a powerful shot to advance the Chilli Boys to the semi-finals where they will face the defending champions.
