Bradley Grobler's brace fires Sekhukhune United to maiden MTN8 semi-final

Bradley Grobler scored a brace to announce his arrival at Sekhukhune United in style, as Babina Noko came from 2–0 down to beat TS Galaxy 3–2 and advance to the semi-final of the MTN8 for the first time in their history.

A prolific scorer with SuperSport United, Grobler was a surprise signing by Sekhukhune, as a number of players stayed on with the new franchise Siwelele United, who bought the status of Matsatsantsa a Pitori. But having previously worked with coach Eric Tinkler, the son of former Moroka Swallows star striker Les Grobler made the move — and immediately showed he is going to be key for Sekhukhune in their quest for maiden silverware in the elite league.

On a cold night in the Limpopo capital, with very few having braved the elements to come watch the match, it was the visitors who settled first and duly took the lead just before the quarter-hour mark through Mpho Mvelase, following a free kick that the hosts failed to clear.

Young Oratile Mandi wasted a glorious chance to equalise for Sekhukhune, sending the ball high over the crossbar when faced with tap-in inside the box.

It was soon 2–0, five minutes before halftime, as Victor Letsoalo capitalised on goalkeeper Renaldo Leaner fluffing a ball floated into the box from the left, and the experienced striker duly slotted in the loose ball.

Previously somewhat subdued, Grobler — as he often does — popped up to pull one back following a corner kick to give the home side hope going into the break.

But Galaxy could have restored their two-goal lead on 45 minutes, only for Mvelase to look a gift horse in the mouth as he failed to connect with a superb cross from the right-hand side.

Tinkler rang the changes after the break, bringing on the experienced Linda Mntambo and Thabang Monare to turn the pendulum in his team’s favour.

The move paid off as Grobler equalized on 63 minutes via a simple tap-in, following a free kick that was sent over from the left and then played back into the box. The veteran striker made that typical goal-poacher’s run to the near post to meet the ball and stab it in.

The goal deflated Galaxy while lifting Sekhukhune’s spirits, and Vusimusi Mncube made it 3–2 six minutes later to register a victory that saw Tinkler progressing to the semifinal yet again. He had led Cape Town City to a 1–0 win over Sekhukhune last season at the same venue.

It was Grobler, though, that the Sekhukhune fans were applauding, as their club made it past the first round of the MTN8 for the first time ever.