TS Galaxy target Chiefs scalp to ignite season in Carling Knockout Cup

TS Galaxy FC's caretaker boss Esau Mtsweni believes a Carling Knockout Cup victory over Kaizer Chiefs on Tuesday could be the catalyst to turn around a difficult league season.

TS Galaxy FC will look to their Carling Knockout Cup clash with Kaizer Chiefs to spark a desperately needed turnaround in form. The Round of 16 tie at FNB Stadium on Tuesday evening arrives with the Rockets mired in a poor run of league results, sitting 13th in the Premier Soccer League with just six points from eight games, having recorded one win, three draws, and four defeats.

Caretaker coach Esau Mtsweni, 46, acknowledged the scale of the challenge but expressed excitement. "It’s a very tough game to be honest with you, but at the same time I’m excited," Mtsweni said. A victory against one of South Africa's most prominent clubs could provide a significant psychological boost for a squad that has taken just six points from eight Premier Soccer League matches.

Recent struggles

The cup fixture offers a stark contrast to TS Galaxy's recent league fortunes. They sit 13th in the standings, having lost their last three matches. The most recent was a 3-0 defeat to Orlando Pirates on 13 October, a result that extended a winless run. Their form reads three consecutive losses, with only one win all season. The team has scored seven goals but conceded twelve, leaving them with a negative goal difference and 17 points adrift of leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. This sequence of defeats began with a 1-0 loss to Kruger United on 13 September, followed by another 1-0 loss to Chippa United on 20 September.

This cup run presents a chance to build confidence away from the league pressure. Last season, TS Galaxy reached the Carling Knockout Cup semi-finals, eventually losing 2-1 to Golden Arrows. Replicating or bettering that feat would be a major achievement. The immediate focus, however, is solely on handling past Kaizer Chiefs, who will be preparing on a short turnaround after a CAF Confederation Cup tie.

Looking ahead

Regardless of Tuesday's outcome, attention will quickly return to the league. TS Galaxy's next assignment is an away trip to face Polokwane City on Saturday 31 October. Polokwane currently occupy 11th place, making it a key fixture in the battle to climb the standings. For Mtsweni and his players, the hope is that a positive performance against Chiefs can generate momentum for that key league encounter. The club's top scorer this season, V. Letsoalo with four goals in eight appearances, will be central to any hopes of an upset in Johannesburg. The match kicks off at 7 pm.