Bradley Grobler sees red as Sekhukhune United edge TS Galaxy for first win of 2026
Betway Premiership
Bright Ndlovu of Sekhukhune United in action during their Betway Premiership clash against TS Galaxy at Mbombela Stadium on Sunday. A first-half header from Bradley Grobler secured a 1-0 win for the visitors. Photo: Backpagepix
Image: Backpagepix
Bradley Grobler was hero-turned-villain as Sekhukhune United registered their maiden goal and victory of the year in their fourth match back after the Africa Cup of Nations-induced break in the Betway Premiership.
The stalwart striker scored the match’s only goal on 19 minutes to see Ba Bina Noko get the better of TS Galaxy, only to lose his cool late in the match and see red at Mbombela Stadium. Late in the game, as the home side searched for the equaliser, the two teams became involved in a mini-brawl on the left side of the pitch following a bad tackle.
Grobler, unimpressed at seeing his teammates being bullied, ran to the fray and pulled at Siphesihle Maduna’s shirt. The two nearly engaged in a wrestling match amidst pushing and shoving that also involved members of the bench.
The referee watched eagle-eyed as the likes of Galaxy goalkeeper Greg Etafia separated the warring parties before calling both Grobler and Maduna aside to send them off. Grobler’s frustration knew no bounds as he walked off, screaming and punching the air in anger.
He knew he should have stayed out of it, but such are the emotions of a tight match with so much at stake that the prolific scorer could not help himself.
He had done brilliantly to secure what turned out to be the only goal. The son of Moroka Swallows dead-ball specialist Les Grobler jumped high to head in a cross from the right by Shaune Mogaila. As good a goal as Grobler’s strike was, Galaxy goalkeeper Taipa Ira will look back and kick himself for failing to clear the high ball after coming off his line.
The loss of Grobler for the upcoming matches notwithstanding, Sekhukhune will be celebrating their striker after he gave them their first win of the year in four matches to keep them in the hunt for a top-three finish. Having been beaten 1–0 by Stellenbosch FC, Ba Bina Noko drew with Orlando Pirates but then lost 2–0 to Mamelodi Sundowns.
This victory sees Sekhkhune stay in fifth place with 29 points from 17 matches. They are now just three points behind leaders Sundowns and Pirates, who have played two matches and one match fewer respectively.
The win was also largely thanks to the brilliance of Renaldo Leaner, with the goalkeeper pulling off numerous fantastic saves to keep a marauding Galaxy at bay.