TS Galaxy fan fears ‘Big Three’ will swoop for club’s emerging stars

A passionate TS Galaxy supporter says the club’s impressive new crop of youngsters has raised expectations for the coming Betway Premiership season – but also left him anxious that Kaizer Chiefs, Mamelodi Sundowns and Orlando Pirates will move to sign them.

Nelson “Bigman” Thwaya, speaking in the Supporters Forum, believes Galaxy’s recent performance in the Mpumalanga province’s Premier’s Cup has underlined the potential of the squad assembled under head coach Bernard Parker.

Galaxy delivered what Thwaya described as a five-star display in Sunday’s competition, heightening optimism that the side can trouble the league’s traditional heavyweights when the new campaign begins.

Pride in Parker’s youthful side

Thwaya says the club’s direction under Parker has restored belief among fans.

“Galaxy is firing from all angles this season, Siyadumuza,” he told KickOff.

“This TS Galaxy team makes us proud, it gives us hope. You can’t start a cattle farm without cows. You need to plan if you are a club; the new players showed us their quality on the weekend where they played for the team.”

Parker, a former Bafana Bafana and Kaizer Chiefs forward, has been entrusted with guiding a youthful, energetic side and, according to Thwaya, is already stamping his authority on the team.

“Our coach Bernard Parker is the youngest coach in this league, coaching a young, energetic team. Parker is cooking something here. I like the fact that he isn’t scared to introduce younger players,” he said.

Thwaya believes the latest recruits are of a particularly high standard.

“Parker has brought in youngsters who are even better than Mahlambi,” he added, in a pointed compliment to the club’s emerging talent.

‘We cook, others want to eat’

Despite his enthusiasm, Thwaya admits he is deeply concerned about the interest that sustained success could attract from South Africa’s most powerful clubs.

“My only worry is these big three teams like Kaizer Chiefs, Sundowns, and Pirates. They are always looking to buy players from us,” he said.

“That’s the only thing that might disrupt our plans. We cook, only for others to come to dish up and eat.”

Galaxy have already experienced the upheaval that can come with change behind the scenes, recently adding a new coach to their technical team to replace Samauna Etafia. At the same time, there has been uncertainty around some individuals, with reports that Saziso Maduna could be leaving the club and has already lost his jersey number.

Top-four target and fortress ambition

On the pitch, though, Thwaya believes the squad is ready to challenge near the top of the table and compete for silverware.

“This season we expect to finish in position 3 or 4, and at least win one cup. Then we will be happy,” he said.

He also thinks a partial return to familiar surroundings could give Galaxy a crucial edge, with some home fixtures set to be staged at Solomon Mahlangu.

“The fact that we will be playing some of our games right here at Solomon Mahlangu would be a great help to us,” Thwaya explained.

“We are back home in KwaNdebele now, and we will not allow anyone to beat us at home,” he added, underlining the confidence among supporters that Galaxy can turn their home ground into a fortress.

While the ambitions are clear – a top-four finish, a cup triumph and an unbeaten home record – Thwaya’s lingering fear is that sustained success will only intensify interest from the country’s most powerful clubs in the very players driving that progress.