WITH four points from a draw and a win on the road, Thanda Royal Zulu FC are well out of the National First Division relegation zone and are now the team the top sides fear most.
Unbeaten in their last seven NFD outings, their fine run of form continued on Wednesday at the Charles Mopeli Stadium, in Phuthaditjhaba, where they held home side African Warriors to a goalless draw.
It was a game they could have won but for some lost opportunities up front.
They went one better against United FC in Rustenburg on Sunday when ace striker Mhlengi Cele scored the only goal of the match shortly before the half time break.
But it was a case of hero turned villain when he was red-carded early in the second stanza after an instinctive hand ball trying to get a second.
His Maradonna-like transgression wasn’t helped five minutes later when Thabo Maselwa also received his dismissal orders after a second yellow card.
Showing the resoluteness that has won back the hearts of their fans, nine-man Thanda played out the final 30 minutes in style to grab the three points.
With Nedbank Cup action this weekend, Amabhubesi can enjoy a well-deserved break before hosting Milano United on Saturday 29 March at the uMhlathuze Stadium.
NFD log as at 17 March
Team P W D L Pts
1. Chippa United 24 14 6 4 48
2. Baroka FC 24 12 6 6 42
3. Black Leopards 24 11 8 5 41
4. Jomo Cosmos 24 10 8 6 38
5. Milano FC 23 11 4 8 37
6. Vasco da Gama 24 10 7 7 37
7. United FC 24 9 8 7 35
8. African Warriors 24 10 4 10 35
9. Santos 24 7 12 5 33
10. FC Cape Town 24 6 10 8 28
11. Witbank Spurs 23 7 7 9 28
12. Sivutsa Stars 22 5 11 7 26
13. Thanda Royal 24 6 8 10 26
14. Maluti FET 24 5 10 8 25
15. Roses United 23 2 9 12 15
16. Blackburn Rovers 24 3 6 15 15
