Thanda knock spots off Leopards
Thanda FC scalp high-flying Black Leopards in a superb 2-1 victory
ABSOLUTELY magnificent!
That’s the story of Thanda Royal Zulu FC’s superb 2-1 win over title chasers Black Leopards at the uMhlathuze Stadium on Saturday.
The comeback kids grabbed another three points with an energetic display that saw three goals scored in the final quarter of the match, the first of which went to the visitors.
Although goalless, the first half was anything but boring, and the large crowd was treated to some great football.
Leopards are an excellent side, currently lying second on the National First Division log.
They showed plenty of skill, with some brilliant inter-passing, but in truth they had very few shots at goal.
Thanda’s defence was rock solid, not only keeping out the visiting strikers and absorbing the pressure, but feeding the ball calmly to the men up front, giving them a number of opportunities on the break.
After the return from the change rooms the complexion of the match changed drastically, with Thanda become increasingly dominant.
Conceding a soft goal from a corner midway through the second stanza was a bitter blow, especially since Mazwi Mncube had put two power drives just wide and Eugene Fikizolo had headed narrowly over the bar.
Keeper Nimrode Tsengwa also pulled off a couple of spectacular saves to keep Amabhubesi in the game.
With 10 minutes to go, Mazwi Mncube’s cross failed to find both Fikizolo and Mhlengi Cele but soon after, Cele added to his season’s impressive tally after great build-up play to level matters at 1-1.
Thanda were by now in full cry and with the clock winding down, a pinpoint cross by Diamond Thopola was met sweetly by Mncube to send the team and the supporters into raptures.
Well done to the coaching team on a revival that has seen only two defeats in the last 12 games.
The only blot on the celebrations was a serious extra-time injury to Evander Spandiel after a clash of heads that saw him lose consciousness and require oxygen.
After being treated on the field by medics and a doctor he was taken to hospital as a precaution.
