Polokwane City beat Galaxy To End Winless Run
Polokwane City victory boosts top eight ambitions
Polokwane City beat Galaxy To End Winless Run in an important Betway Premiership result as Rise and Shine secured a 2-1 victory over TS Galaxy at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium on 08 April 2026. The Polokwane City victory ended a frustrating three-game winless streak and reinforced their push for a top-eight finish.
Coming into the match, both sides had plenty to play for. Polokwane City were sitting in seventh place, while TS Galaxy were chasing from 12th position, just three points outside the top eight. However, this TS Galaxy defeat leaves them with more work to do in the closing stages of the season.
Betway Premiership result sees early dominance
The Betway Premiership result was shaped early on as Polokwane City showed intent and attacking quality from the first whistle. TS Galaxy, fresh from their Nedbank Cup success, appeared slightly fatigued and struggled to find rhythm in the opening stages.
Juan Mutudza goal breaks the deadlock
The breakthrough came after just 17 minutes, thanks to a stunning Juan Mutudza goal. The midfielder curled a superb effort from the edge of the area into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Ira Tape with no chance.
This moment of brilliance set the tone for the match and gave Polokwane confidence to control proceedings. The Juan Mutudza goal not only highlighted his technical quality but also his growing influence in the squad.
Despite Galaxy’s attempts to respond, they found it difficult to penetrate a well-organized Polokwane defense. Goalkeeper Lindokuhle Mathebula had a relatively quiet first half, reflecting the visitors’ dominance.
Mokibelo Ramabu performance doubles the lead
Clinical finishing after the break
Polokwane City beat Galaxy To End Winless Run largely due to their efficiency in front of goal, and the Mokibelo Ramabu performance played a crucial role. Shortly after the restart, Ramabu doubled the lead with a composed finish.
Set up once again by Mutudza, Ramabu calmly slotted the ball home, taking his league tally to four goals. His positioning and composure in the box demonstrated why he remains a key attacking asset for the team.
The second goal gave Polokwane a comfortable cushion and forced TS Galaxy to adopt a more attacking approach.
TS Galaxy defeat despite late fightback
As the second half progressed, TS Galaxy began to show more urgency. Around the hour mark, they nearly pulled one back when Sphesihle Maduna unleashed a powerful long-range effort, but Mathebula produced a superb diving save.
Galaxy continued to push forward, creating more opportunities as the match entered its final stages. However, Polokwane remained dangerous on the counter-attack, with Bonginkosi Dlamini coming close to extending the lead, only to be denied by a fine save from Tape.
Late goal sparks hope
The hosts finally found the breakthrough in the closing minutes when defender Igor bundled the ball into the net after an initial save by Mathebula. The late goal reignited hope for TS Galaxy, but Polokwane held firm under pressure to secure the victory.
This TS Galaxy defeat highlights their inconsistency, particularly after their recent success in the Nedbank Cup.
Tactical battle and key decisions
Polokwane City beat Galaxy To End Winless Run with a well-balanced tactical approach. Coach Phuti Mohafe’s side combined defensive discipline with quick transitions, allowing them to exploit gaps in Galaxy’s defense.
On the other hand, TS Galaxy coach Adnan Beganovic made several changes in the latter stages, introducing fresh legs to spark a comeback. While the substitutions improved their attacking threat, it was ultimately too late to change the outcome.
Polokwane’s ability to manage the game in the final minutes proved decisive, as they successfully absorbed pressure and protected their lead.
Betway Premiership standings update
Following this Betway Premiership result, Polokwane City strengthened their position in the top eight, while TS Galaxy remain in 12th place.
Updated 2025-26 Premiership Standings
| Position | Team | PTS | MP | W | L | D | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mamelodi | 56 | 23 | 17 | 1 | 5 | 42 | 12 | 30 |
| 2 | Orlando Pirates | 54 | 23 | 17 | 3 | 3 | 45 | 9 | 36 |
| 3 | Kaizer Chiefs | 39 | 21 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 22 | 13 | 9 |
| 4 | AmaZulu | 38 | 23 | 11 | 7 | 5 | 24 | 21 | 3 |
| 5 | Sekhukhune United | 35 | 23 | 9 | 6 | 8 | 23 | 17 | 6 |
| 6 | Durban | 35 | 23 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 20 | 16 | 4 |
| 7 | Polokwane | 32 | 22 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 18 | 15 | 3 |
| 8 | Lamontville | 28 | 23 | 8 | 11 | 4 | 28 | 31 | -3 |
| 9 | Stellenbosch | 28 | 23 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 20 | 25 | -5 |
| 10 | Siwelele FC | 26 | 22 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 12 | 16 | -4 |
| 11 | Richards Bay FC | 26 | 23 | 6 | 9 | 8 | 18 | 25 | -7 |
| 12 | Galaxy | 25 | 23 | 7 | 12 | 4 | 25 | 31 | -6 |
| 13 | Chippa | 23 | 24 | 5 | 11 | 8 | 19 | 32 | -13 |
| 14 | Marumo Gallants | 18 | 23 | 4 | 13 | 6 | 17 | 34 | -17 |
| 15 | Orbit College FC | 18 | 23 | 5 | 15 | 3 | 17 | 39 | -22 |
| 16 | Magesi | 17 | 22 | 3 | 11 | 8 | 16 | 30 | -14 |
What this means going forward
Polokwane City beat Galaxy To End Winless Run at a crucial point in the season. The victory not only boosts confidence but also strengthens their grip on a top-eight finish, which is vital for their ambitions.
For TS Galaxy, this defeat is a setback in their pursuit of a higher league position. Despite showing resilience late in the match, their slow start ultimately cost them.
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Conclusion
The Polokwane City victory over TS Galaxy was a well-earned result built on early dominance, clinical finishing, and strong defensive organization. With standout contributions such as the Juan Mutudza goal and the impressive Mokibelo Ramabu performance, Polokwane demonstrated their quality and determination.
Polokwane City beat Galaxy To End Winless Run in a match that could prove pivotal in shaping their season, as they continue their push for a strong finish in the Betway Premiership.
References
- Polokwane City end winless run with Galaxy victory
(Soccer Laduma) – Reports on Polokwane City’s 2-1 win over TS Galaxy and key match moments. - Polokwane extend Galaxy’s league drought with 2-1 win
(SuperSport) – Highlights Juan Mutudza’s opening goal and Ramabu’s decisive second goal.
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