Congolese Lubumba goes from villain to hero for Durban

Durban City striker Jean Lubumba scored for both teams in a historic 2-1 victory over TS Galaxy on Saturday in the South African FA Cup final.

The 24-year-old from the Democratic Republic of Congo scored an own goal on 43 minutes while attempting to clear a corner in northern city Polokwane.

Durban levelled 13 minutes into a second half they dominated when centre-back Mfanafuthi Mkhize came forward for a free-kick and punished slack marking to score from a far-post shot.

Lubumba then put his earlier mishap behind him on 71 minutes, using the outside of his right boot to loop the ball over Ivorian goalkeeper Ira Tape from just inside the box.

A lack of urgency and poor passing let down Galaxy in the closing stages and the club from northeastern city Mbombela never seriously threatened veteran Durban goalkeeper Darren Keet.

Durban, playing top-flight football for the first time after winning the second division title last season, became the first club from the coastal KwaZulu-Natal province to lift the FA Cup.

They pocketed seven million rand ($420 000) and secured a place in the 2026/27 CAF Confederation Cup, an African competition modelled on the UEFA Europa League.

It's a scramble in the box and TS Galaxy have their goal 😲🚀

📺 Stream #NedbankCupFinal on DStv: https://t.co/B0jLrQW5cc pic.twitter.com/lbSSDiL0we
— SuperSport Football ⚽️ (@SSFootball) May 2, 2026

Durban also maintained a perfect record against Galaxy, winning a 2025 FA Cup last-16 tie, then beating them home and away in the South African Premiership this season.

"I put this triumph down to resilience and never-say-die spirit," said Pitso Dladla, the third coach of Durban this season.

"Although we played the final far from home (880 kilometres by road), it felt like we were in Durban. Our supporters inspired us."

Caretaker Galaxy coach and former South Africa midfielder Bernard Parker said their game plan went awry in the second half.

"We were making too many lateral passes instead of forward ones. There was also a lack of urgency when we had possession."

Parker, who replaced Bosnian Adnan Beganovic last week, must now try to ensure Premiership survival for a club just above the relegation zone after an 11-match winless league run.