TS Galaxy target Nedbank Cup glory amid improved communication and lifted transfer ban

The communication between TS Galaxy chairman Tim Sukazi and coach Adnan Beganovic is perfect. As such, the duo are working together in setting realistic targets for the club, including winning silverware via the Nedbank Cup this season.

Galaxy has been troubled by transfer bans in recent years. This season was no different; they started the term unable to sign players – an issue they resolved midway through the season. However, they were quickly hit with another ban after Jegbay Morris Konneh took his contractual matter with the club to Fifa.

Sukazi and the board have since ensured they settled the matter with Konneh in recent weeks, resulting in the ban being lifted and allowing Galaxy to register some of the players who’ve been training with the club, according to Beganovic.

With the team’s transfer market having fluctuated, resulting in squad imbalance, what has been the conversation between Sukazi and Beganovic about their Betway Premiership and domestic cup competitions aspirations this season?

“I am lucky because my relationship with the chairman is at a top level. Tim Sukazi, firstly, understands football. He was an agent in his previous job, so he can understand and analyse good talent,” said Beganovic during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Nedbank Cup last-16 clash against Mamelodi Sundowns on Saturday.

“Our communication in that regard is perfect. When we have an opportunity to fight for something such as the Nedbank Cup, we’ll go all out.”

The Nedbank Cup is a familiar trophy for Galaxy. They etched their names in the history books of the competition, becoming the first lower division side to achieve that feat in 2019 after beating Kaizer Chiefs in the final in Durban.

Reflecting on that fateful night in KZN, Beganovic is keen on following in the footsteps of predecessor, Dan “Dance” Malesela. However, he insisted that they needed to establish their own destiny.

“The cup games are not like league games. After just one round, you are out, and that's it. In the draw, you can also be lucky and get an equal team or one in the lower division. That will increase the chances of getting to the next round,” Beganovic stated.

“But sometimes, you’ll be drawn against Mamelodi Sundowns, and we can’t just give up. It’s not in our nature or mine. We have the board’s mandate to try to do better in the cups and the league.

“I always set my targets and work harder to achieve them. I try to push my players as well. We need to grow and try to push at all times.”

Galaxy’s hard work and character will be severely tested when they face Sundowns at Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga on Saturday (3 pm). Sundowns are one of the best teams on the continent as they are six-time champions in the competition, the league’s title holders, and CAF Champions League quarter-finalists.

And having shown a menacing side and signs of being back to their best in the last two games – qualifying for the Champions League last-eight and closing the gap in the league after beating leaders Orlando Pirates away on Wednesday – some argue this might be the worst time for Galaxy to face Sundowns. However, Beganovic argues that clash could be a double-edged sword for them.

“I watched both games at the stadium, and I noticed that they played with intensity,” Beganovic said. “They are a quality team, which plays quality football with quality players.

“Conversely, the fact that they played two games in a short period of time with a lot of energy could work in our favour. A lot of their players complained about cramps. And yesterday, I saw a lot of their players asking to be subbed off.”

*Mihlali Baleka is Independent Media's senior football reporter and a panelist on the group's soccer podcast, The D-Line, which is exclusive on our YouTube channel The Clutch