Durban City and TS Galaxy are set to light up the 2026 Nedbank Cup final at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 18:00 this evening.
Durban City starting line up: Keet, Gcaba, Ncanana, Mkhize, Mashego, Poggenpoel, Mokwena, Jurgens, Domingo, Maseko, Lubumba.
TS Galaxy starting line up: Ira, Kakora, Mbunjana, Silva, Letsoenyo, Mvelase, Maduna, Zindoga, Mcwango, Letsoalo, Mahlambi.
NEDBANK CUP FINAL: DURBAN CITY VS TS GALAXY
Durban City come into the clash sitting 7th in the Betway Premiership, while TS Galaxy are down in 12th. But league form often takes a back seat in cup football, and this one has all the ingredients of a tense, one-shot-at-glory encounter.
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Interestingly, both sides arrive at this stage under interim leadership, a reflection of turbulent seasons off the pitch as much as on it.
ROADS TO THE FINAL
Durban City’s campaign has been anything but smooth. They’ve gone through four different coaches this season, including experienced names like Gavin Hunt and Sinethemba Badela, before Pitso Dladla stepped in to steady things.
A narrow 1-0 win over Casric Stars in the semi-finals booked their spot, while earlier rounds saw them survive a nerve-wracking penalty shootout against Golden Arrows. For the Citizens this is a shot at their first major trophy and a chance to end a 17-year wait for silverware in KwaZulu-Natal.
Durban City already beaten TS Galaxy twice in the league this season, both times 2-0.
TS Galaxy’s journey has had its own drama. They needed penalties to get past Milford FC after a 1-1 draw in the semi-finals, but earlier rounds told a different story, commanding wins, clean sheets, and big scalps, including Mamelodi Sundowns and Marumo Gallants.
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The Rockets know what it takes to win this competition. Back in 2019, they stunned Kaizer Chiefs 1-0 in the final while still a second-tier side, one of the biggest upsets in South African football history.
Now, there’s a new twist. Bernard Parker, who was on the losing side with Chiefs that day, is the man in charge. Appointed just a week ago after Adnan Beganovic’s departure following a 10-game winless run, Parker has the chance to write his own story from the touchline in his first spell as a head coach.
An added incetive for the champions books a place in next season’s CAF Confederation Cup.
