Defiant Galaxy target bright season despite MTN8 exit

TS GALAXY may have been dumped out of the MTN8 at the first hurdle, but The Rockets are going full steam ahead into the new PSL season confident they will shine.

Beaten 3-2 by Sekhukhune United at the Peter Mokaba Stadium on Saturday night despite having raced into a 2-0 lead, one would have expected the Galaxy technical team to be deflated. But speaking during the post-match conference deep in the bowels of the 20220 Fifa World Cup venue hat was sparsely populated on the cold night, stand-in coach Nermin Basic described himself as satisfied with his team’s efforts.

“First half we played good, especially in possession even though Sekhukhune surprised us with their 4-3-3 formation,” said the man who was in charge due to the suspension of coach Andand Berganovic

“We scored two good goals from good football although in the last five minutes we were very confused and conceded the goal. Then in the second half we had good opportunities in the first 15 minutes.

"After the hour we started to struggle because Khulumani (Ndamane) and the right back had injuries and we were playing with ten players (Ndamane was off the field being attended to by medicos) when they scored to make it 2-2.”

The goal that sunk them was literally a gift to Sekhukhune, Qobolakhe Sibande losing the ball right in front of their box for Vusimusi Mncube to add his name to the score sheet Bradley Grobler had announced his arrival to Ba Bina Noko with a brace.

“We made a very big mistake but this is football, it is normal. Sekhukhune deserved the win they attacked us every well.

"I am not unhappy, we played a good game we played with four DDC players because it is crucial to have a lot of young players. It was the first game of us and we had the game model and our players played well with and without the ball and I am happy to have seen this on the pitch.”

Galaxy had just five players on the bench but Basic said this was not due to the club’s FIFA transfer ban.

“That’s a question for the president, but I think we have fixed everything. Yes we lost some players but we have 15 players from last season and it is normal to start something new. We have players who are not registered and nine will be registered soon and we will have a much stronger team.”

Looking ahead Basic says they are looking to be competitive and win fans over.

“It’s my opinion, we don’t look about the position. We’ve created new values for TS Galaxy, new principles and alternatives.

"We taught our players be good with or without the ball and in transition. We are a development club; we want to play good football and we want the supporters of the big clubs to make us their second club.

"That’s what we will try to do this season because the most difficult thing is to play good football and sell players and do this again. TS Galaxy have done this for the last three years and this season we will surprise you with two or three young players who will be tops.

"It’s a pleasure to work with these guys; to give somebody a new chance. That’s why we need players who are hungry to be something.”

Galaxy will open their Betway Premiership campaign with a home clash against newly-promoted Durban City.