Why we hosted Sundowns at Solomon Mahlangu - TS Galaxy coach | OneFootball

Interview

Beganovic on entertaining Downs in alternative pitch

Photo: DISKI FANS

TS Galaxy head coach Adnan Beganovic has explained why the club opted to host Mamelodi Sundowns at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in their Nedbank Cup clash over the weekend.

The Rockets eliminated Masandawana in the Round of 16 after securing a 2-0 victory, thanks to first half goals from debutant Sphamandla Ngwenya and Junior Zindoga.

With the Downs mentor Miguel Cardoso voicing his displeasure with the pitch after the match, the Bosnian explained that although it was not his decision to take the game to KwaMhlanga, it's imperative for the club to give back to the area.

“It's not my choice to bring Sundowns here, besides for the first game against Marumo Gallants we played here and I think TS Galaxy started from this stadium, playing in the second league,” Beganovic said.

"I think we also need to give something back to this area, to these beautiful fans and bring some biggest games here, bring Nedbank Cup [games] here if we can. If we are lucky to play here again why not?

Beganovic expressed delight at knocking out the Tshwane giants, and dismissed suggestions that his team's victory was a fluke, stating that luck is earned.

“I'm so happy. We spoke about luck but you need to deserve luck, you need to show something, it's not easy to score two goals and the last game I think we dominated all the 120 minutes. You need to have quality to win the games,” he added.

"Luck, yes, you need to deserve it - Sundowns missed some opportunities but also we are always there to defend, to block every shot. And then, it's not only about the pitch, it's not only about the stadium.

"I think we deserved to bring something, to give something back to these beautiful fans who support us a lot and I hope we can play one more game here to give again a beautiful opportunity [to the fans] in the stadium full of supporters and also we promise a good game.

Galaxy, who clinched the Nedbank Cup at the expense of Kaizer Chiefs as a second-tier side in 2019, await their fate in the quarter-final, with the draw set to be conducted this evening.