Rockets will now turn their focus to the league, where they are narrowly above relegation

TS Galaxy caretaker coach Esau Mtsweni views their Carling Knockout elimination as a blessing in disguise as they aim to improve on their poor run in the league.

Galaxy were elbowed out of the Carling Knockout by Kaizer Chiefs, who thumped them 3-0 at FNB Stadium on Tuesday, courtesy of Wandile Duba’s hat-trick. The Rockets are three points away from the relegation zone, having won just one of their eight league games so far with four defeats and three draws.

“I think the most important thing for us now is the league. Maybe this exit was a blessing in disguise to concentrate more on the league because that’s what matters for us,” Mtsweni said.

“I don’t want to say this, but I think it was a blessing in disguise. Obviously we came here to win, but after seeing this performance, I think it was good for us to be eliminated, so that we can concentrate on the real deal.”

It was only Mtsweni’s second game as Galaxy’s interim coach, having replaced Bernard Parker a few weeks ago. In his first game, they were humbled 3-0 against Orlando Pirates in the league away.

Mtsweni suggested that some of his players are not ready for top flight football, also explaining why he withdrew experienced defender Veluyeke Zulu a few minutes after introducing him in the second stanza.

“Today we saw who’s ready for this level and who’s not ready for this level. I can’t say it’s the fitness [that set the back] because we prepared well. Only the players can say what’s the problem,” the Galaxy interim coach stated.

“We brought in an experienced player [Zulu] and took him off again because he didn’t come to the party.

“It was evident from the first half that things weren’t going our way. We didn’t look like a team that wanted to win. We kept on playing negative passes, and it was very much concerning for me.”