Mbombela Stadium to host Nedbank Cup final as Pirates and Sundowns avoid each other in semis

• Mbombela Stadium will host the Nedbank Cup final on 1 June, with the announcement coming shortly after home side TS Galaxy were knocked out in the quarter-finals. 
• Chippa United, who stunned the Rockets to reach the last four, will face Orlando Pirates in the first semi-final. 
• Mamelodi Sundowns will visit Stellenbosch FC in the other semi, which means the sponsors and supporters could get their 'dream' final between the Brazilians and Pirates. 
• For more Nedbank Cup news, go to the News24 dedicated soccer page. 

TS Galaxy suffered a double blow at Mbombela Stadium when they were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the Nedbank Cup, and while they were still licking their wounds the Premier Soccer League announced their home as the venue that will host the final on 1 June. 

The Rockets have been on an upward trajectory under coach Sead Ramovic who took them to the final of the Carling Knockout Cup and has led the side to mount a spirited fight in the league despite losing some of their key players to teams with deeper pockets. 

They had a chance to continue that trajectory when they hosted Chippa United on Sunday in the Nedbank Cup's last eight.

They could have finished the campaign with a home final if they went all the way. 

But they lost 2-0 to a spirited United side who will now host Orlando Pirates in the semi-finals.

Stellenbosch FC will host Mamelodi Sundowns in the other semi, setting up a mouthwatering tie between No 1 and No 2 in the league – and the two best teams in the country who have gone so long without a loss they have forgotten what a defeat tastes like. 

But one of these unbeaten streaks will come to an end when they square off at the Danie Craven Stadium later this month. 

READ| Well-oiled Stellenbosch machine put four past SuperSport to strut into Nedbank Cup semis

The Chilli Boys were too hot for Galaxy who had chances to win in front of their home crowd at Mbombela Stadium but they fluffed them.

The two goals from the Eastern Cape's side came moments after the Rockets had a chance to shoot themselves ahead. 

Eva Nga powered the visitors in front at the stroke of the half hour mark moments after Samir Nurkovic's brilliant bicycle kick rattled Chippa's goal.

But with five minutes to go, Galaxy were given a life-line when referee Kwinda Olani gave Sead Ramovic's men a penalty – judging Sirgio Kammies for handling the ball in the box. 

Pogiso Sanoka stepped up, high in confidence and looking to take the game to extra time. But the Galaxy captain's penalty was saved by Stanley Nwabali.

The Nigerian goalkeeper, who stunned Bafana Bafana in penalties in the semi-finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, continued his great shot stopping abilities when it matters as he blocked Sanoka's powerful penalty. 

When Galaxy were mourning their miss, they were handed an even bigger blow in the dying minutes of the match.

Kwinda awarded Chippa a penalty after Lebone Seema brought down Aviwe Mqokozo in the box. Roscoe Pietersen made no mistake, powering his shot past Fiacre Ntwari and sending the Chili Boys to the semi-finals where they face the defending champions.